Elder George Edward Woodards

Isaiah 57: 1-2 "The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away,
and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who
walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death."

Elder George Edward Woodards was born February 19,1940, in Valley, Mississippi, to Frank Woodards and Flora Mardess Woodards. He was the sixth of eight children born to this union. The family moved to Chicago in 1944. He attended elementary and high school in Chicago, IL. George served in the United States Army from May 11, 1962, to May 14, 1965. He received the Sharpshooter (Rifle) Badge during his service. In 1968 he married Barbara Anne Cosby in Chicago, n. God blessed them to be united in holy and loving matrimony for 50 years. Their union was blessed with a total of four children. George and Barbara cultivated a loving and respectful marital relationship, setting a standard for younger. couples to emulate. Their love story was ordained by God and will be remembered for the spiritual integrity and commitment it reflected and the example and dignity it set portrayed for African American marriages. George and Barbara were a classy,
beautiful couple. They were and will remain the definition of "Once Upon A Time:" They were a romance reflective of Proverbs 18:22, "A man finds a wife finds a good thing, and obtains favor from the LORD» and Proverbs 31:12, "She does him good and not evil, All the days of her life:' Until the very end, they honored their spiritual vows to the Lord and one another.

In 1973, George accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior and joined Faith Temple Church of God in Christ, in Evanston, n under the leadership of the late, beloved Bishop Carlis L. Moody Sr. He became an ordained Elder on August 17, 1996. Church Elder was a title and spiritual call, Elder Woodards honored and took seriously; he served in the Prison and Street Ministries for decades. Furthermore, he served as a Sunday School teacher, a Trustee Board member, and a district evangelist. His spiritual posture was, "Lord, I am Available to You:" the foundational status of his late Bishop, current Pastor, and his Faith Temple C.O.G.I.C.
church family. In addition to his ministerial calling, George was a compassionate and caring friend and spiritual father to many, and he strived to be a Godly and loving example.

Elder Woodards retired from the Grounds department at Loyola University in Chicago, IL. After retirement, Elder Woordards felt called to create his own "Gospel Witnessing Tracts:' Every morning, he would faithfully go to the Howard Street El station and downtown Evanston to witness and distribute the tracks while testifying of the plan of Salvation. If Elder Woordards missed a day, people would be waiting for the tracks and his prayers. His impact on strangers reflected his willingness to be used by God and to love the forgotten and unseen. Elder Woodards embodied Psalm 1:2-3, "But his delight is in the law of the
Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper:'

Elder Woodards authored two books and was in the process of completing the third. The tittles where "Where Angels reside" and "Love letters from the Lord:' Before the publication of his third book, entitled "Beyond Death's Door:' his heavenly transition occurred. As Elder Woordards wrote about heaven, his writing process concluded in the arms of his Savior, a testament to his faith and hope in his eternal home. Elder Woodards was lovingly referred to as the "Bishop of Facebook" because of the Words of Life he faithfully and joyfully shared daily! For the sake of spreading the gospel, Elder Woodards adapted to the communication mediums and needs of our present times; he truly was a man of the people. Elder Woodards was a reflection of the "Pen of the Ready Writer:'
"My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer:' Psalms 45: 1 

On Saturday, February 20,2021, Elder Woodards made his heavenly transition surrounded by his loving wife and the saints of God. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Flora Woodards; siblings, Frank Jr. Woodards, Alford Woodards, Mary Powell, Samuel Woodards, Laura Foreman; daughter, Allyson Woodards. He leaves to cherish his memory, loving wife, Barbara; Children, Jocelyn Woodards; sons, Bryan Woodards, Darryl Cosby; sisters, Helena Williams and Roberta Brown; a long time special friend, Jerry Williams; His Beloved First lady, Mother Mary Moody and a host of cherished relatives, spiritual children
and grandchildren, saints, friends, and neighbors.

Matthew 25:21 "His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou
hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into
the joy of thy Lord:' Please keep the family in your prayers

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette~ Funeral Director

Due to Covid-19 we as that while attending services that you wear your mask at all times and remember to Social Distance.

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