Woodall, Welbon Aaron

Welbon Aaron Woodall, affectionately known as Aaron or Woody, was born September 22, 1940, in Warm Springs, Ga. He was the second child of the late Emanuel Woodall and Mary Ruth Smith Woodall. On July 26, 2022, he peacefully passed away at his home in Indiana.

Due to the sudden and untimely death of his father, his mother moved her three small children, Robert, Aaron, and Joann to Chattanooga, in 1942. His mother soon met and married the late Solomon Jones and another sister, Mary Nell, was born into their family.

Aaron grew up in Chattanooga.  He was a member of Rose of  Sharon Baptist Church. He attended Orchard Knob Elementary and Howard High School. At Howard High, he was a member of the Honor Society and played on the football and basketball teams. Aaron developed a love for the game of basketball. He worked hard to become a standout player for the Tigers and earned a college scholarship to Clark College in Atlanta. He graduated from Howard High School,  class of 1959. At Clark, he earned the honor of playing his freshman year, which is a big accomplishment on any college campus. He attended Clark for two years before enlisting in the Air Force to serve his country during the Vietnam War. After being honorably discharged, he returned to Clark College to complete his bachelor’s degree. He also married his high school sweetheart and they had a daughter, Monica Jennine Woodall.

After graduating from Clark, Aaron’s career took him to many cities, but he ultimately settled in Indianapolis. He started a long career with Rolls Royce Allison and General Motors. While living in Indianapolis, he received his master’s degree from Indiana University. He also remarried and had a son, William Anthony Woodall. He became active in many work-related organizations, as well as Indianapolis community service events. While climbing the corporate ladder, he was promoted to senior management with General Motors from which he retired in 2005. He was also a real estate broker and worked to make home ownership available to many. Aaron was an active member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Reverend Dr. Phillip Karl James, Pastor. He possessed a great sense of social responsibility to the urban core and African American communities of Indianapolis. This was proven by his dedication and commitment as an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Iota Lambda Chapter, Vice President of the Clark Atlanta Alumni Association, and President of the Indianapolis Black Alumni Council, Inc.

Aaron’s favorite pastime was traveling, especially to any location with a beach. He was an avid debater and ALWAYS had to have the last word. He truly loved his fraternity and educating the youth of Indianapolis.

Aaron was predeceased by his parents, Emanual Woodall and Mary Ruth Smith Woodall; brother, Robert Woodall and son, Anthony Woodall. 

He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughter, Monica Slaughter, Kansas City, Mo.; grandchildren, Kristina Jones (Jermee), Ray Slaughter, II (Lynnette), DeMarques Woodall, and Amber Jalisa Looney; eight great grandchildren; sisters, Mary Nell Bonham, Chattanooga, and Joann Martin, Nashville; uncle, Floyd Martin, California; aunt, Gaynell Moore, California; nieces, Julie, Nashville, Sonya, Chattanooga, Alice, Chattanooga, and Tonia Kearney (Craig), Charlotte, NC; nephews, Steve, and Tysonne, Little Rock, Ar.; special family friends, William Bonner, Jacqueline Bell, Rudell Moore, Lashawn Bartlet and family, all of Indianapolis, and Chandra Fears, Chattanooga. Aaron also leaves a host of cousins, relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.

Public viewing will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 18, at the funeral home. A 12 p.m. funeral service will be held on Friday, Aug. 19, in the chapel of John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., 423 622-9995.

Interment will be in Chattanooga National Cemetery.