Maurice Woodward, Sr.

February 16, 1928 - June 22, 2018

Maurice Paul Woodward, Sr., age 90 of Sparta, NC passed away Friday, June 22, 2018 at his residence. He was born February 16, 1928 in Burlington County, New Jersey to the late Ridgway D. Woodward, Sr., and Rebecca DeCou Woodward. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by one brother, Ridgway Woodward, Jr.; three sisters, Maude Wade, Marguerite Webb, and Irene Budd. Maurice was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and brother. A friend to many, he dedicated his life to community service; first in Burlington County, NJ, and following his retirement in Sparta, NC. Some of his numerous contributions included: Mansfield Township Mayor and Committeeman, Mansfield Township School Board President, Burlington County Zoning Board member, Northern Burlington County Sewage Authority President, Bordentown Rotary club International President, NBC High School Booster Club President and Lifetime Achievement Recipient, Grand Master of Columbus and Burlington County Pomono Granges, NJ State Grange Youth Chairmen, and Weblo and 4-H Club leader. Maurice was a supervisor at New Jersey Bell Telephone Company for 39 years and farmed the Woodward family farm for more than 60 years. In his retirement, he took special pride in receiving the 2011 Outstanding Conservation Farm Family of the Year Award for the family’s Idlewod Acres Farm in Sparta, NC. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Dolores Preidel Woodward of the home; two daughters, Kathleen Mizerak and husband Mike of Sparta, Suzanne Simmons and husband John of Blue Grass, VA; two sons, Maurice Woodward, Jr., and wife Estrella of Covington, GA, Bob Woodward and wife Diane of Sparta; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive. The family requests the honor of your presence at the funeral service to honor the life of Maurice at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, June 24, 2018 in the chapel of Grandview Memorial Funeral Home with Brother Ed Hall officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until time of the service at the funeral home. A graveside service will be held 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 26, 2018 at Columbus Cemetery in Columbus, New Jersey with Reverend Gary Hope officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Medi-Home Hospice of Alleghany, PO Box 1287, Sparta, NC 28675. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff of Medi-Home Hospice of Alleghany. Grandview Memorial Funeral Home and Koschek and Porter Funeral Director, Inc. is proudly serving the Woodward family and if you wish, online condolences may be submitted to the family at www.grandviewfuneralhome.com.