George Eugene Woodward

George Eugene Woodward, age 87, died Sunday, March 13 at Huntsville Hospital after a brief illness. Visitation will be Sunday, March 20 at 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. with the service following at 4:00, both at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Rev. Hal Oakley and Rev. Richard Brooks will officiate and Valhalla Funeral Home will direct. The burial will be private.

George was born on June 24, 1928 to George Anderson Woodward and Margaret Enloe Woodward, both of whom preceded him in death. He grew up on the family farm outside Unicoi, TN.

He earned a B.S. degree from East Tennessee State University, and an M.S. from the University of Oklahoma. In 1951 he was employed by the Department of the Army at Redstone Arsenal until his retirement in 1984, and worked in a variety of missile project offices including LaCross, Shillelagh, and Chaparral FAAR, where he was Deputy Project Manager for the last 10 years of his career. He twice received the highest Department of the Army award for civilian employees, the Meritorious Civilian Service Award. After retirement from Redstone, he worked for Unisys and Semcor. From 1954 - 1956 he served in the U.S. Army at Redstone Arsenal.

In 1952 he married Mary Anne Chapman. He and Mary helped start Covenant Presbyterian Church in 1956 and were charter members. George served Covenant as ruling elder, trustee, Sunday School teacher, and member of 4 different building committees. Additionally, he was a Presbyterian Apartments board member for 30 years, including 3 terms as board chair.

George helped begin the Southeast YMCA and their little league program. He coached Y league baseball, football, and basketball for 20 years, both before and during the time his sons played. He also served on the Southeast YMCA board.

He worked behind the scenes with the Huntsville Opera Theater, where his daughter and younger son sang. George built sets and helped change them during rehearsals and performances for several years.

The number of boys and girls George mentored during his life as a coach, Sunday School teacher, and second father figure cannot be counted.

George loved to travel. During his life he visited 52 countries and all 50 states for business, with Mary, with friends, and with the Friendship Force. George and Mary also square danced for many years with the Merry Mixers.

George is survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary; son Steven, and wife Frances of Ackworth, GA; son Charles and wife Alicia of Huntsville; and daughter Ellen and husband Daniel of Tuscaloosa. Other survivors include his beloved grandchildren Melanie Woodward, Carson Woodward, Julia Potts, Caroline Woodward, Chance Fitts and Maria Potts. Although George had no siblings, his lifelong friend, Robert Cloyd, was like a brother to him.

George will be remembered for his dedicated service to God, his family, his community and his country. He never failed to fight for what he believed in, or to apologize when he was wrong.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the building fund at Covenant Presbyterian Church or to Habitat for Humanity - Tuscaloosa for Pickens County tornado relief. Online condolences may be expressed at www.valhallafunerals.com.