Melvin Lee Woodard

Melvin Woodard was born on November 11, 1968 to Melva and the late LeRoy Jordan, and he passed away with his family around him on November 27, 2023 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Melvin is survived by his wife, Dawn, and four beautiful daughters, TaNysha, Domonique, Melayna, and Airyanna. He is also survived by a sister, Reagan (Mike) Wynn, and two grandchildren, A’Nya and Antonio.

Right after high school, Melvin was proud to have served in the U.S. Navy as a medic. He served at sea, in Europe, and Iran alongside the Marines for almost six years. Shortly after, Dawn and Melvin began dating, and in 1999 they were married in the Bahamas. Together, Melvin and Dawn spent the next 24 years raising their daughters and spending time with them and each other on many trips to Chicago and other places that Melvin enjoyed.

Melvin was very proud of his daughters, and they brought him the greatest joy in his life. Being involved in all areas of their lives was important to Melvin so that he could guide them and help them to grow. Melvin proudly watched as TaNysha, Domonique, and Melayna grew into strong, independent women, and he knew that Airyanna will, too, when she graduates high school. There is no doubt that he counted their success as his own greatest success. Through the years, Melvin would get the chance to coach the youngest of them in basketball. In addition to the girls’ successes on the court, Melvin was proud to bring home a championship in his last year of coaching boys at Gesu Catholic School. In fact, along with Antonio’s football practices and games, Melvin rarely missed a game or practice in which one of the girls were playing or watching – he enjoyed as much coaching them as going to games with them.

Melvin took time to relax and make time for himself, also. While he enjoyed his private quiet time during the summers at the family house at Lake Poplar in Michigan, he also enjoyed when the rest of the family joined him just as much. Melvin was as avid fisherman, and he especially liked spending time with his friends (and even strangers!) playing spades and dominoes or just talking and relaxing. Melvin and Dawn bowled on leagues together through the years, and Melvin started every fall just sure that the Tennessee Titans were going to win the next Super Bowl. Melvin was indeed the life of the party at family gatherings, and you knew that with him around there was never going to be a dull moment.

Melvin will be missed by his Aunt Delores and Uncle Ocee, who were like another set of parents to Melvin, and his nieces, Destiny and Journey, as well as his nephews, Tyler and Messiah. And, with his big personality, Melvin leaves a lot of friends that will miss their time together. Melvin and Dawn were especially thankful for and close to Kevin and Suzette, Steve and Melanie, Kelly and Michelle, and Frank, who never missed a chance to spend time and check on him over the last couple of years. Melvin was so happy to encourage and enrich the lives of the Rushing kids James, Dominique, J’shun, and Jamarion.

Melvin was preceded in death by his brother, Clifford, and his grandparents, Henry and Katie Thomas and Merrybell Hamer.

Melvin will be missed by all of those that were lucky enough to have been his friend or part of his family.