Thomas "Babe" Morris Woodard

Funeral services for Thomas Morris Woodard are Monday, December 28, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Brummitt McKenzie Funeral Home. The family will receive friends on Monday at 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.  Interment is at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, McKenzie, TN.

Mr. Woodard was born January 21, 1932, to the late Lucille Woodard and James Hooten of Nashville, Tennessee at Hubbard Hospital (now known as Meharry).Thomas was predominantly raised by his maternal grandparents; and being that he was the first grandchild born, he was affectionately called ‘Big Baby”- which later was shortened to “Babe,” as he is known to this day.

He accepted Christ as his personal Savior at an early age and joined with First Pegram AME Church of Pegram, Tennessee. In later years, he joined Johnson Temple CME Church, and continued supporting and working in the church until his health restricted it. He also helped organize the “Jolly

Men’s Club,” which assists elderly widows throughout the year.

Thomas attended school in Pegram, TN but dropped out early to take care of his grandparents and aunts. At age 18, he was hired by the L&N Railroad Company as a head cook and remained in that position for 24 years. While the L&N Railroad Company was stationed in McKenzie, Tennessee, Thomas met Dorris Reynolds, who was working in her Uncle Judge and Aunt Anna Bell’s café (The

Sweet Shoppe). This chance meeting turned into a relationship and in 1953, into a marriage. To this union were born, three children: Sarita, Deborah, and Tory.

After retiring from the Tennessean as a truck-driver and from Henry’s Kitchens as an appliance installer, Thomas found joy in performing jobs as a handyman and driving people in the community to and from wherever they needed to go. Post retirement, he also continued to cook, delighting in

making people happy with his delicious downhome meals.

On December 18, 2020 at 11:10 pm, Thomas departed this life. Thomas is preceded in death by his wife, Dorris Reynolds Woodard; sister Vera Kirkendall; brothers, Harold Eugene Kimbro, Mansfield Kimbro, Raymond Kimbro, and Prentice Kimbro.

He leaves to cherish his memory three children, Sarita (Tommy) Olgesby, Deborah (Ricky) Williams, and Tory (Kimberly) Woodard; one sister, Freddie Whisett; three brothers, Nathanial Kimbro, Carl Kimbro, and George Kimbro, all of Ohio; two grandchildren, Aaften Bearman and Austin Oglesby, both of California; five greatgrandchildren, Evie Bearman, Lennox Bearman, Kaya Bearman, Aliyah Oglesby and Mya Oglesby, all of California; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.