Donnell Woodruff
Donnell Woodruff, Sr., 62, was born July 13, 1951, and died on Friday, December 27, 2013.
Donnell was born and raised in Polk County, Ga. He later came to reside in Chattanooga, where he attended Olivet Baptist Church with his family.
Donnell graduated from Riverside High School in 1969. He began a career as a baker at Colonial Bakery for a number of years until he retired. Donnell was extremely talented and began to utilize his talents in accomplishing many jobs such as carpentry, floor laying, etc. Donnell was a man of many hats and excelled in any endeavor that he encountered.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Florence Woodruff; and sisters, Thelma L. Cothran and Janice E. Woodruff.
He is survived by his devoted and loyal wife, Yvonne Woodruff (Bonnie); son, Donnell Woodruff Jr. (Peanut); daughter, Shemika Woodruff-Black (Nikki), all of Chattanooga; brothers, Rev. Amos Woodruff, Jr.; Willie Clifford (Betty) Woodruff, James Edward (Gerald) Woodruff, all of Chattanooga; sisters,Bernice (Gabe) Sinclair of Cedartown GA., Imogene Odom of Chattanooga, TN., Carrie Nell (Samuel) Robinson, Mary Ann (Melvin) Caldwell of McDonough, GA., Ocie M.(Kenneth) Williams of Harrison; mother-in-law: Lucille Womble; sister-in-law, Kim Petty; 14 grandchildren; first cousin, Louise Bailey of Carrollton, Ga., and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Donnell was loved as a well-known and respected member of the community and will never be forgotten.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5, at Olivet Baptist Church with Pastor Kevin Adams officiating. Interment will be in Highland Memorial Gardens.
The body will lie in state after noon on Saturday, Jan. 4, and the family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. at John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 622-9995.