Wanda Woodard

Wanda Tessnear Woodard, 78, of Wilson, died peacefully at home on June 25, 2025.

Visitation will be at Wilson Memorial Service on Friday, July 11, 2025 from 6:00-8:00 PM. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at First United Methodist Church of Wilson, NC on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 11:00 AM with Rev. Dr. William Presnell, Pastor Emeritus, and Rev. Mike Frese, Senior Pastor, presiding.

Born April 11, 1947 in Cleveland County, North Carolina, to Laura and Emmett Tessnear, Wanda grew up in Forest City, NC where she was a high school cheerleader. Wanda subsequently earned her Registered Nurse (RN) degree from Gardner-Webb College.

Wanda moved to Bailey in 1972 and began working at Carolina Clinic. She was probably the first trained gastroenterology/endoscopy nurse in eastern NC. While living in Bailey, she served as President of the local Jaycettes and was very involved in fundraising for the NC Jaycees Burn Center then being built in Chapel Hill.

After moving to Wilson, Wanda continued working at the Carolina Clinic until 1984. Following a few years residing in the Charlotte area, she returned to Wilson and resumed working as a nurse at the Carolina Clinic.

Wanda and Dr. Jerry Woodard married in January 1991. Although she didn’t have biological children, Wanda became a special friend and stepmother to Jerry’s two children and a loving Nana to their three grandchildren.

Wanda’s faith was very important to her. She loved First United Methodist Church of Wilson where she served on several committees including the Pastoral, Fine Arts, and Chancel Committees.

In addition to caring for hundreds of patients during her nursing career, Wanda was a devoted caregiver to her family and friends. She was also known for her flair for interior decorating and as a frequent and talented hostess for many of the social events she greatly enjoyed. She was often the “Life of the Party.” Wanda was also a sports enthusiast, both as a participant and a spectator. Her greatest sports passions were attending UNC football and basketball games and playing tennis and golf with her husband.

Wanda is survived by her husband Dr. Jerry Woodard; sister Myrtle Robbins of Forest City; stepdaughter Jerrilyn Woodard-Entrekin (Andy Entrekin) of Bedford, TX, stepson Jason Woodard (Kristi) of Raleigh; grandchildren Morrow Entrekin of Bedford, TX, Jake Woodard and Lila Kate Woodard of Raleigh; and many dear nieces and nephews.

Wanda was preceded in death by her parents Laura and Emmett Tessnear; brothers Richard Tessnear, Baxtor Tessnear, and Gary Tessnear; and her sister Doris Miller.

The family would like to express their appreciation to the amazing ComForCare caregivers Sigi Orcell, Jewel Webb, and Tamelia Bynum for the wonderful, loving care they gave Wanda during her last weeks of life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, PO Box 1423, Wilson, NC 27894 for their Endowment Fund or the Wanda Woodard Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements by Wilson Memorial Service, 2811 Fieldstream Dr. N, Wilson, (252) 237-7171; www.wilsonmemorialservice.com