Michael Wayne Woodard

Michael Wayne Woodard was born July 10, 1953 and went to his Heavenly Home on August 29, 2026. Michael, who everyone knew as Mike, was the type of person who never met a stranger. No matter where he would go he would always strike up a conversation with people and try to get them to laugh. He loved to joke around with people and because of this would always make new friends no matter where he was. But he did not always joke around especially when it came to the Lord. He was a dedicated Christian and would talk with anyone about Heaven and how to get there. He actually started preaching when he was 18 years old at Red Bluff Baptist Church. He continued to preach for the next 55 years at various churches in Louisiana and Mississippi. He was currently the pastor at Shady Grove Baptist Church in Amite, LA. Not only was he a dedicated Preacher but he worked in the Sand and Gravel Industry for over 20 years before giving it up and going full-time with his other passion Law Enforcement. He started working for St. Helena Parish Sheriff's Department in 1984 as a Part-time Deputy and Dispatcher. He continued his way up through the department and after going full-time was promoted to Lieutenant. His primary duties with the Sheriff's Department was with the Civil Division. He loved this job because it allowed him to once again get to talk with people he did not know. He was also in charge of leading all funeral escorts for the Department and he was going to make sure if he was in front with lights on then the cars coming better pull over. Above everything else he was an amazing father to his son, thought his daughter-in-law was one of a kind, but what really made his day was his two Grand-Daughters. He loved them with all his heart and there is nothing they would ask of him that he would not do. He loved to tell everyone about his Grand-Daughters and show pictures of them. He will be missed by everyone, but he would not want anyone to cry or dwell on his passing. He would want everyone to know he is in a better place and hopes one day to see everyone again. He is survived by his only child, Micah (wife Courtney); grandchildren, Caylee and Leah; sisters, Betty Jo Ford and Margaret Caraway; sister-in-law, Annette Woodward; nephews, Skip Caraway (wife Denise), Chip Caraway (wife Donna), Barry Levatino (wife Linda), Brian Levatino (wife Kathy), Chad Woodward (wife Shellie); nieces, Rhonda Enis (husband Donald), Shae Mclin (husband Robert); and numerous great nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Lana Ardillo Woodard; parents, Buddy and Ethel Woodard; in-laws, Anthony and Georgie Ardillo; brother, James "Sonny" Woodward; sister, Livy Louise Levatino; brothers-in-law, Tommy Ford, Sammie Levatino Jr, and Sherrill Caraway; and a niece, Darlene Ford. Visitation will be held at First Baptist Church, Greensburg, from 9:00AM until religious services at 11:00AM on Saturday, September 5, 2026. Services will be conducted by Rev. Shawn Ostoj. Interment Greensburg Cemetery, Greensburg, LA. In lieu of flowers please donate to a church of your choosing in memory of Mike. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.