Woodard, Tamara

A Leader In Her Community And With Social Justice Movements

  • Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Tamara Woodard
Tamara Woodard

Tamara Woodard of Summit, Tennessee, passed away on October 3, 2024, after a lengthy illness.

Ms. Woodard was born to the late Warren GH and Helen Woodard of Summit, on April 13, 1957. She was a graduate of Ooltewah High School, University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and received her MS from the University of St. Francis, Joliet. She was incredibly proud of the hours she earned from the Howard Medical School studying Spirituality and Medicine. She retired from the United States Postal Service in 2022.

Ms. Woodard was by all means a leader in the community and social justice movements, but preferred to simply be called a movement worker. Younger generations of movement workers lovingly called her the “the movement mama.” She was an organizer and activist with numerous organizations including the Black Panther Party, Operation PUSH (especially the Women’s Board), Action Coordinating Council, Unity Group of Chattanooga, Concerned Citizens for Justice, and was a founding member of the National Political Congress of Black Women (chartered in Chattanooga by Representative Shirley Chisholm and Dr. Tommie F. Brown). She served as campaign staff on progressive electoral campaigns including her friend and mentor, former TN State Rep. Dr. Tommie Brown, Sheila E. Harris, and George Key. She was the Tennessee Press Representative for the 1984 Jesse Jackson Presidential campaign; campaigned for the Equal Rights Amendment; fought for environmental justice in her home community of Summit; and fought against police violence in Chattanooga and Hamilton County. She was a member of the African American Women’s Coalition, the Hunger Coalition, the Lovely Bones Book club, and was a loving member and trustee of St. James AME.

Ms. Woodard is survived by daughter Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson of Chattanooga (Gina Breedlove), son Courtlund Henderson of Summit, chosen son Jared Story; granddaughter Keziah Story and grandsons Courtlund and Asa Henderson; sisters Juanita Graham of Memphis, TN and Lillie Gould (David) of Mesa, Arizona; brothers Warren (Woody) Woodard II (Terry) of Longwood, FL and Albert Woodard of Atlanta, GA; several nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews.

She also leaves to cherish her memory—her dear friend June Nuckolls, and The Sistahs and Bruh ’dear: Rev. Sheila Harris, Renee Taylor, Vickie Payne, Nancy Story, and Kenny Dobson.

The family of Ms. Woodard would like to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors (especially Dr. Todd Boren and Dr. Terry Melvin), nurses, physical therapists, patient care staff, family, friends, community, and church members who supported Ms. Woodard and our family through her illness and transition.

Public viewing will begin at 2-6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 11, at the funeral home. A 5 p.m. funeral service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Greater Tucker Baptist Church, 1115 North Moore Road.

Interment will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are by John P. Franklin Funeral Home, 1101 Dodds Ave., Chattanooga, 423 622-9995.

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