Carl Nelson Woodyard

CARL WOODYARD - Carl Nelson Woodyard, 87, of Johnson City, TN, passed away Thursday, December 31 from cancer surrounded by loved ones at his daughter's home in Yadkinville, NC. He was born on July 11, 1928, in Thessalia, VA, to Fred Woodyard and Elizabeth Henderson Woodyard. He was a graduate of Giles County High School in Pearisburg, VA. While still in high school, Carl became one of a small number of people who drove a school bus while also a student. He went on to drive the Giles County school bus for 5 years. In 1948, Carl married the former Wanda Worrell, his dedicated wife of 66 years until her death in 2013. They met when Carl attempted to pick up Wanda's roommate to go on a date to the movies. The roommate was not ready when Carl arrived, so rather than miss the beginning of the movie, he asked Wanda if she wanted to go instead. She agreed and they were married a month later. The roommate did not attend the wedding. Carl worked at Walker Home Equipment in Pearisburg, VA and for the CelaneseCorporation in Narrows, VA, before joining Kroger as a butcher in 1958. He would go on to work for Kroger for 35 years, first in the Pearisburg store, then as the head meat cutter in Bluefield, VA, and Bristol, TN, locations. After retiring in 1993, Carl worked at White'sFresh Foods in Piney Flats, TN, before concluding his career how he began it, as a school bus driver. Known for joking with kids and his amazing ability to wiggle his ears, Carl was a beloved driver for the Johnson City SchoolDistrict from 1997 to 2012. His favorite hobbies included mowing the yard far more frequently than was necessary, regularly trading in perfectly good used cars for worse used cars, watching TV with the volume turned up so loud that Bonanza reruns could be heard miles away, and hunting (generally with limited success). Carl's greatest joys were his grandchildren and great-granddaughter, whom he credited for keeping him young. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Wallace and sister Betty Croy. Carl leaves behind daughter Deborah James and her husband Wayne, son Stephen and his wife Sonya; grandchildren Drew Johnson and his wife Sarah, Sara Mottern and her husband Nathan, MatthewWoodyard, DanielWoodyardand McKenzie Silvers; his great-granddaughter Averie Johnson-Mottern; his sister Amy Lucas; and nieces Barbara Vesely, Beth Tanner,Lisa Swope, Freddi Hatcher and Leslie Lucas. He also leaves behind a legacy of hard work, an unwavering dedication to his family, and millions of laughs and smiles thanks to his quick wit, charm and ever-present grin. A private memorial service will be held by the family. In lieu of flowers, Carl wished that memorial donations be made to Austin Springs United Methodist Church, 726 S. Austin Springs Rd, Johnson City, TN 37601.