Phyllis Brown Woodward

Phyllis Brown Woodward was born on May 27, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to John W Brown and Carolyn A Burns Brown. She and her three brothers grew up in Bensenville, Illinois. Phyllis graduated from Wheaton College and West Suburban School of Nursing in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She taught as a nurse instructor at Ravenswood Hospital in Chicago. Phyllis loved camping and was involved in leading Pioneer Girls; she was proud of her part in establishing the youth camping program at The Firs, a Christian retreat center near Bellingham, Washington. At church in Chicago, she met George Woodward, a naval officer who was preparing to be a missionary pilot at Moody Bible Institute. They married on August 23, 1958, and immediately left for service with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Peru where they joyfully raised their family and worked for 35 years. In 1994, they retired to the JAARS center in Waxhaw, North Carolina, where they continued to volunteer in many ways. Sixteen years ago, they moved to Go Ye Village, a retirement community in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, to be nearer to family. They became an enthusiastic part of that tight, little community. Phyllis has been cared for by the Go Ye Village nursing team for the past two years, and we, her family, would like to express our gratitude for their compassion and care. Good Shepherd Hospice provided wonderful support during her final week of life. We are so grateful.

Phyllis served in many roles--nurse, high school teacher, dining room manager, literacy materials editor, and guest house manager. Her hospitality was unmatched, and it was a rare Sunday lunch that didn’t include guests around the table, many of whom had just been invited at church that day.

Phyllis is survived by her husband, George A Woodward, and three children: George Tomas “Tom” (Beverley) Woodward of Duncanville, TX, Lois (Bryan) Varenkamp of Duncanville, TX, and Donald “Don” (Joan) Schrock-Woodward of North Newton, KS, as well as seven grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She also has many honorary children who looked to her for nurture and love. We all rise up and call her blessed for the love she demonstrated to us and others all her life.

Phyllis had a warm and optimistic personality, always eager to be involved in everything. Her highest motivation and delight in life was her relationship with Jesus Christ and devotion to the Word of God. She would want you to know that, after making so many people feel at home here on this earth, she is now truly HOME.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Phyllis to Wycliffe Bible Translators:

Go to www.wycliffe.org/donate and select Give Now, or make your preferred selection. You may add a note “In memory of Phyllis Woodward.”

There will be a memorial service to celebrate Phyllis' life on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 11:00am in the Chapel of Go Ye Village, 1201 W Fourth St, Tahlequah OK 74464.

If you plan to attend from out of town, please email Lois at [email protected] so we can include you in any plans for meals around the event. We hope to stream the event online and will post a link on facebook, or contact lois to receive the link by text or email.