Barbara Clay- Woodard

Barbara Hollandsworth Clay Woodard passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, July 19, 2026. She was born on January 18th,1928 in Logan, West Virginia to Paul and Mamie Hollandsworth. She was the oldest of three daughters. Her sisters, Patricia Hollandsworth Keskey, and Margaret Hollandsworth Doughty predeceased her.

Barbara married Charles Clay in 1945, and they raised their four children in Huntington, West Virginia. She is survived by her daughter Lynda Clay Tweel (Ron) and son Charles David Clay (Patty) and stepson Michael Woodard. She was preceded in death by her sons Paul Clay and Dennis Clay, and daughter-in-law Lynnette Woodard Clay, and granddaughter Lara Clay Sampson.

 Her passion to acquire knowledge continued throughout her lifetime. She graduated from Mann High School in Logan, WVA in 1946, and went on to earn a degree from Marshall University in Huntington WVA in 1960. She was an elementary school teacher and principal for many years in West Virginia, until she shifted into higher level educational work at the Governor's Office in West Virginia and the Central Virginia Child Development Agency in Charlottesville, Va.

She met and married Al Woodard in 1979. They spent 43 loving years together in Indiana before his passing in October of 2022. Barbara and Al spent many years traveling together nationwide for educational conferences and workshops. Together they formed many lasting friendships. She was especially proud of her work at Ohio State University, and with student teachers at Indiana State University. 

Barbara's ten grandchildren have fond memories of baking and cooking, learning to crochet, spending time on the lake, going to the County Fair, working in the garden, and riding the tractor just to mention a few. She loved and was so proud of her grandchildren: Jennifer Tweel Kelly, Lauren Tweel Oakey, Rebecca Tweel Jolin, Clay Tweel, Paul Clay, David Clay, Jeffrey Clay, Lona Clay, and Lara Clay Sampson (deceased), and Charles J Clay (CJ).

The family would like to thank especially Lori Marx, who was truly an amazing friend, health professional, and counselor for their mother. Lori made a difference in everyone's life.

We are also grateful to the friends who visited and cared so much for mom. A gathering of family and friends will be held at Holmes Memorial Chapel on Saturday, October 10, 2026 from 10:00 am. until the time of service at 11:00 pm. with Pastor Jason Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery. 

If so desired, contributions can be made in memory of Barbara Woodard to: Our Father's Arms Food Pantry in Sullivan, Indiana, 711 S. Section Street, Sullivan Indiana 47882. OR to the Sullivan County 4-H Fair Board, 1361E County Road 75 N, Sullivan, Indiana 47882, OR to the Sullivan Public Library for the “Imagination Library” program which provides free books monthly to local children.