Freddie “Susie” Hood Woodard passed away on the morning of Thursday, February 29, 2024, at Northern Louisiana Medical Center, surrounded by her family. She was 93 years old.

Susie was born on January 4, 1931, in Hilly, Louisiana, to Katie and John Hood. She spent most of her childhood in what is now the Goose Creek community of Lincoln Parish and attended St.  Rest Baptist Church with her family. She was a student at Nobles School before moving to Ruston High School, where she graduated with the class of 1947. After high school, Susie began in the Home Economics program at Louisiana Tech University before marrying Homer Woodard, with whom she had six children. The family faithfully attended Alabama Baptist Church near Arcadia. In the early years of their marriage, the Woodards moved as Homer’s work demanded, but they eventually settled down in Ruston and built the home where she lived for the remainder of her life.

Susie’s children—and later grandchildren and great-grandchildren—were the center of her life. She lovingly attended to their needs and saw that they were provided for in the best way possible. An excellent sewist, she sewed clothing for them and made alterations whenever asked. Much to the delight of her family, Susie regularly hosted Sunday lunch, where everyone enjoyed her home cooking (including her exceptional mac-and-cheese and fried chicken). Her grandchildren grew up knowing that going to “Granny’s house” meant they could expect adventure, few rules, and incredible snacks. While building her family, Susie also built an improbable career, finally retiring at 88 years old. She worked as a bookkeeper at her parents’ business, J.L. Hood Lumber Company, and at Ruston Lumber. Later in life, she worked in the Trinity United Methodist Church office before concluding her career working part-time at Louisiana National Bank. Her kindness, infectious smile, and positive attitude cemented her reputation as a beloved co-worker. Susie remained a member of Temple Baptist Church until her passing and was a dutiful participant in the Hearts of Grace Sunday School Class.

Susie is preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Jackie Woodard Whitlock; her son, Bart Woodard; sister and brother-in-law, Irene and Joe Fallin; brother, Tinker Hood; and sister and brother-in-law, Alice and Don Love. Left to cherish her memory are her children Lexie Woodard Crawley (Bo), Russell Woodard (Cynthia), Libby Woodard, Brian Woodard (Jenifer) and son-in-law, Howard Whitlock; her grandchildren, Bethany Woodard Kristovich, Nicholas Crawley (Teresa), Katie Whitlock Kimbrough (Allin), Todd Whitlock (Brandi), Brittany Crawley Hunt (Cass), Lexie Woodard Polito (Mike), Dustin Whitlock (Kelsey), Jessica Crawley Habibi (Brian), Russell Woodard, Jr. (Gabrielle), Avery Woodard, Muriel Woodard, Claudia Perry, and Chloe Woodard; and her great-grandchildren, Anna Kristovich, Blake Hunt, Arabella Polito, Zachary Woodard, Mia Whitlock, Emme Hunt, Shelby Whitlock, Lilah Kimbrough, Reese Whitlock, Luke Crawley, Bo Hunt, Norah Whitlock, Olivia Kimbrough, Cohen Whitlock, Ellie Hunt, Kash Habibi, Nash Crawley, Colt Woodard, and Waylon Woodard; sister-in-law, Marie Hood; first cousin, Medrick Canterbury; and, numerous nieces and nephews that still refer to her as “Favorite Aunt Susie”.

A service, officiated by Dr. Reggie Bridges and Rev. Dale Oden with guest speaker and dear family friend, Dorothy Clarkson-Jackson, will be held in the Temple Baptist Church sanctuary on Monday, March 4, at 1 p.m. under the direction of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of Ruston.  A visitation will be held at 11 a.m. Following the service, her interment will be held at the St. Rest Baptist Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her nephews, Ivin Hood, John Hood, Dennis Love, and Jerry Love, and grandsons Todd Whitlock, Dustin Whitlock, Russell Woodard, Jr.  and Zachary Woodard.

In 2021, at the age of 90, Susie underwent open heart surgery that limited her ability to be totally self-sufficient in her final years. The Woodard family would like to thank Dr. Mark Blackwelder, Dr. Billy Smith, and their staff for attending to her medical needs and providing excellent health care. The family is also grateful for her in-home caregivers from Benton Care Service: Katheryn Baker, Kim Benton, Damonica Brooks, Bobbie Goodjoint, Shaniqua Grant, Linda Mayfield, and Aisha Richburg.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the charity or church of your choice.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com

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