Obituary of Melvin Elrod Woolard, Jr

“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)

Melvin Elrod Woolard, Jr. was born June 29, 1973 to Elder Melvin Elrod and Lady Peggy Ann Brown Woolard, Sr. in St. Albans Queens, New York. He departed this life on December 27, 2023 at 6:00pm.

Melvin attended elementary school in Queens, New York. His parents made a decision to relocate to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where Melvin attend middle and high school. He graduated from Princess Anne High School in 1991. After graduating, he officially learned the HVAC Trade through the Adult Learning Center where his father was a teacher for the Virginia Beach City Public Schools, and received his HVAC Certification. He also attended college at Norfolk State University. After college he enlisted into the United States Army, where he earned the rights of becoming a United States Veteran. He was employed at Little Creek Naval Base in Virginia Beach, Virginia as a Facility Management Specialist.

Melvin was affectionately called “Mel Jr.” by his family and friends. He was the older of his two siblings: Michael and Maurice. He had a compassion for God whom he loved with all of his heart. He was a lover of people. Melvin, Michael and Maurice called themselves “the wolf pack” because of their bond. As a young person, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at True Love Christian Fellowship Church of God in Christ, where his father is the pastor.

Melvin was well respected because of the light that shined in his life. He touched the heart of so many people. He believed the word of God where it says in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” He lived by that belief with a mindset to please God.

Because of the light that he exemplified, so many people that he came in contact with, their lives where enhanced. Melvin saw all men the same, not focus on the negative, but always bringing out the best of each person. He operated in love, knowing Luke 10:25, 27: “And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and withy all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” Melvin will always be remembered for his big heart, which he affectionately shared with friends and family. MELVIN, JR. YOU WILL BE MISSED! To his mother, Peggy: You was a devoted mother and caregiver. She always wanted to make sure her sons were cared for in every way possible.

Proceeded him in death: His grandparents: James A. and Clara Woolard, Joe E. and Rulie Garrett, Sr.; His aunts and uncles: Dorothy Crooks Woolard, Lauralyn and Norman Wilson, Sr., Joseph L. Woolard, Melvin L. Woolard, Jackson Woolard, and Zion Bowser.

He is survived by his parents: Pastor Melvin E. and Peggy Woolard, Sr.; God-parents: Mother Eva Carroll and Mr. and Mrs. Alphonso West; two brothers: Michael and Maurice Woolard; two nieces: Michaea and Brooklyn; one nephew: Micha, all of Virginia Beach, Virginia; a hosts of the Woolard’s aunts and uncles; the Garrett’s aunts and uncle; and the Bowser aunt and uncles.