Barbara R. Woodard, 86, of Festus died May 10, 2022, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mrs. Woodard retired from General American Financial Services as a switchboard operator, but she most enjoyed her work as a homemaker for her family. Born Oct. 31, 1935, in Eldon, she was the daughter of the late Irl R. and Lena (Hoskins) Hees.
She was preceded in death by her husband: Jesse D. “Woody” Woodard.
She is survived by three children: Jeff (Pat) Gibson of De Soto, Mark (Peggy) Gibson of De Soto and the Rev. Stan (Linda) Gibson of Pacific; two stepdaughters: Jackie (Kim) Greer and Kathy (Gary) Speidel; a sibling: Carl Hess of Eldon; 10 grandchildren: Josh, Matt, Justin, Jacob, Rebekah, Emily, Scott, Jason, Jamie and Bryan; and 13 great-grandchildren and one on the way.
She also was preceded in death by two sisters: Isabelle Williams and Elizabeth Fisher; and two brothers: Albert and Jack Hees.
Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the funeral service at noon Saturday, May 14, at Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church, 11441 Ware Church Road, in Hillsboro, officiated by John Kuykendall. Burial will be at Pilgrim’s Rest Memorial Gardens in Hillsboro. Arrangements are under the direction of Dietrich-Mothershead Funeral Home in De Soto.