Beverly "Bj" "Bj" Woodard

Our beloved Beverly "B.J." Woodard passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2013, in the arms of her two daughters and surrounded by her family in Dallas, Texas. She will forever be missed and remembered by those who loved her as a kind, gentle, and selfless soul. Though she left this world early, God welcomed her home. We take comfort in knowing the richness and fullness of her life and that she will live on through us. BJ is survived by her two daughters, Christina Woodard of New York, New York and Stacey Woodard of Dallas, Texas, her mother Beverly Elias of Duncanville, Texas, sister Barbara Elias-Perciful and brother-in-law Harold Elias-Perciful of Dallas, Texas, sister Belinda Leu of Irving, Texas, sister Beth Morgan, brother-in-law Ken Morgan, nephew Tyler Morgan, and niece Alexis Morgan of N. Palm Beach, Florida, nephew Jordan Leu and wife Erin Leu of Dallas, Texas, and nephew Justin Leu of Irving, Texas. She is preceded in death by her dear father, Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Elias.

B.J.'s passion was teaching children, especially teaching them to read.Over a period of years, she taught kindergarten, third grade, and junior high reading, and was very involved in developing and writing curriculum. She created and taught a full curriculum of reading, writing, mathematics, science, and art for the school's first kindergarten program in Drain, Oregon, and was selected as the school representative for a district-wide committee to establish reading goals for the junior high schools in the Duncanville Independent School District.

B.J. valued and respected education, always going above and beyond to be sure each one of her students received the best possible instruction and truly learned. She was always motivated by what was best for children. B.J. also knew how to teach children in creative and fun ways, taking time to create countless reading and math games. She also focused on building character in her students and, by her own example, taught honesty, patience, kindness, teamwork, and caring for others. She also knew how to build confidence in children and how to spark their desire to continue learning after leaving her classroom.

B.J. brought light and love into the life of every person she met. She always focused on others and not on herself, and people lit up when she walked into the room because they knew they were loved. Everyone who met her thought she was the sweetest, nicest person they had ever met. B.J. leaves a legacy of love, and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Reach Out and Read charity would be appreciated.

Visitation will be Friday, December 20, 2013 from 6-8 pm at Rhoton Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be Saturday, December 21, 2013 at 11 am at First Christian Church in Carrollton. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Memorial Gardens in Irving, Texas.