Bruce Henry Woodard, age 95, of Smithfield, NC, passed away into eternity to be with Jesus on September 30, 2026. He was born on June 2, 1931, in the Gold Valley Community of Nash County, son of the late George Ollie and Mamie Whitley Woodard. In addition to his parents, he is preceded by his loving wife of 74 years, Annie Sledge Woodard, his beloved daughter Teresa W. Carter, cherished grandson Garrett Watson Woodard, son of Paul and Susan Woodard, a sister Ruby Woodard, and brothers Vernon Woodard (Janie), Raymond Woodard, Carl Woodard, Clifton Woodard (Pat), and Joel Woodard.

A 1949 graduate of Spring Hope High School, he also attained an undergraduate degree in Animal Science and a master’s degree in Education from NC State University. He served as a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, followed by service in the NC National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, attaining the rank of captain. He served 33 years with the NC Cooperative Extension Service as agricultural agent in Lenoir, Northampton, and Wake counties. In 1969 he became County Extension Director in Cumberland County and in 1976 became County Extension Director for Johnston County.

Bruce was named Citizen of the Year in 1984 by the Smithfield-Selma Area Chamber of Commerce for his leadership in initiating a county tourism promotion program and in getting county-wide toll-free telephone service. In 1991, he was inducted into the Johnston County Agricultural Hall of Fame. In 2014, he received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Governor Pat McCrory. He served as president of the NC Association of County Agricultural Agents, president of Extension’s honorary fraternity Epsilon Sigma Phi, and chairman of the Awards Committee for the National County Agents Association. He served as president of the Smithfield Kiwanis Club and chairman and life member of the Smithfield Salvation Army Advisory Board. Through these initiatives and positions, Bruce left a legacy of positive change for the betterment of his community.

He was dedicated to his Christian faith and wanted others to come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior. He was an active member of Centenary United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School, was president of the United Methodist Men, and a lay speaker.

Bruce was especially proud of his rural heritage and authored a book, “Farm Heritage and Humor and Memories of Gold Valley.” After retirement, he established Woodard Realty, marketing primarily farmland and timber. He also grew and sold Christmas trees. Bruce did extensive genealogical research on the Woodard, Sledge, Whitley, Wilder, Hales, and Glover families and donated it to the Johnston County Heritage Center.

He is survived by sons, Don Woodard (Denise) of Garner and Paul Woodard (Susan) of Selma; son-in-law, Wilson Carter of Raleigh; sisters-in-law, Ellen Woodard of Southern Pines, Sandra Woodard of Sanford; grandchildren, Matthew Woodard (Daphne), Aaron Woodard (Christiana), Jonathan Woodard (Nicole), Stuart Woodard (Kinsey), Chris Carter (Nicole), Catherine Downey (Tim), and Marilee Woodard; great-grandchildren, Ainsley, Rosalie, Elowyn, Hadley, Brantley, Ellis, Liam, and Owen Woodard, Carter and Teresa “Tessa” Downey; and numerous nephews, nieces and cousins.

Bruce was a wonderful, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. To him, family was his greatest accomplishment, and he was deeply loved by every one of them. Memories of times spent with him will be cherished always.

The family extends its heartfelt appreciation to the compassionate caregivers and staff at Brookdale Senior Living and Pruitt Hospice.

Funeral arrangements by Parrish Funeral Home of Selma. Services will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church in Smithfield on Saturday, October 3, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive guests in the church fellowship hall one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Smithfield. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Centenary United Methodist Church of Smithfield or to Bruce and Annie Woodard 4-H Scholarship Foundation, Campus Box 7645, NC State University, Raleigh, NC 27695.