Funeral services for Mrs. Thelma Audrey Woodard, age 79, of Carthage, Texas, will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2009, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Chad Sangster officiating. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Frankston City Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Mrs. Woodard passed away on Thursday night, August 27, 2009, in Tyler.

Thelma Audrey Baker Woodard was born on August 18, 1930, in Colchester, England to Wilfred and Doris Evelyn Rose Baker. Mrs. Woodard graduated from Colchester High School. She married Everett D. Woodard and he preceded her in death on November 17, 1998. Mrs. Woodard loved dogs and she attended Panola College where she took courses in dog handling. She moved to the United States in 1954 and to Carthage in 1970. Mrs. Woodard was also preceded in death by her parents.

Mrs. Woodard is survived by three sons, Nicholas Craig Woodard of San Diego, California, Monte Ray Woodard and wife Janet of Neptune Beach, Florida, and Larry Everett Woodard and wife Regina of Goodland, Kansas; one daughter, Elsie Leach-Woodard and husband Dennis of Parsons, Kansas; one sister, June Smith of Colchester, England; her caregiver, Carol Davidson of Carthage; and her faithful companion, her German Shepherd dog, Britta. Numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many friends also survive Mrs. Woodard.

Serving as pallbearers are Caleb Woodard, Lucas Woodard, Troy Woodard, Tony Allen, Andrew Sprey, and J.B Shires.

If desired, memorials may be made to the Panola County Humane Society, 415 S. Shelby St., Carthage, TX 75633.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.