Mary Woodard

Mary Alyce Woodard was born on January 3rd, 1941, in Redbird, Oklahoma to Mervin and Maudie Freeman. Her family moved to Kansas City, Missouri in 1943. Mary was educated within the Kansas City, Missouri School District. She graduated from Lincoln High School, where she was honored as the R.O.T.C. Queen and Homecoming Queen. She graduated from St. Joseph’s Nursing School. Over the years, she was employed by various hospitals, nursing facilities, and private doctor’s offices: including Dr. Vewiser Dixon, Sr. and Dr. Albert M. Crocker. Mary was also employed by the Missouri Department of Conservation for a brief time. Mary was formerly married to Thomas Dukes (Deceased) and to Dr. Fredrick Woodard, Sr.

Mary was raised and baptized at the Macedonia Baptist Church of Kansas City, Missouri, under the leadership of the late Pastor Preston Allen, Sr. She later attended the St. Monica’s Catholic Church for a brief period, until her health began to fail. Mary loved God, her family, friends, and good music. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. Her hobbies included: arts, crafts, Black Art events, painting murals, and shopping.

Her parents, her siblings: Charles (Alice) Freeman, Sandra Ward, and a host of other relatives and friends welcomed her into heaven on March 11th, 2025. Her memory will forever be cherished by her children: Brigette (Earley) Powell (CA), Erika Woodard (Tracy Revels), Jhordan (Kami) Woodard. Her grandchildren: Kendric (Kim) Powell (CA), Austin (Jamesha) Woodard, Kristien Powell (CA), Keenan Powell (CA), Briana Woodard (Savion Robinson), Kristen Woodard. Her great-grandchildren: Azuri Woodard, Aily Woodard, and Baby Austin Woodard. Her siblings: Carla Freeman (TX) and Kelley (Kyrus) Chambers, her special cousin, Lura Gardner, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.