Ralph "Lee" Woodward, Jr.

Ralph “Lee” Woodward, Jr., Ph.D.

1934 – 2022

Dr. Ralph Lee Woodward, Jr., 87, of Fayette, passed away June 26, 2022 at Aspire Senior Living in Fayette.

Ralph Lee Woodward, Jr. was born in New London, Connecticut to Ralph Lee Woodward and Beulah Suter Woodward on December 2, 1934.  He was a 1952 graduate of Fayette High School and a 1955 graduate of Central College.  After a stint in the Marine Corps, he earned his Ph.D. from Tulane University in 1962.  He joined the faculty of The University of North Carolina in 1961.  In 1970, he returned to Tulane University where he wrote thirteen books and many professional articles on Latin American History.  He earned many honors at Tulane as well as twice being Distinguished Alum for Central College (now Central Methodist University).

He married Sue Dawn McGrady in 1960.  To this union, three children were born: Mark Woodward (Kay) of New Orleans, Laura Woodward of Guadalajara, Mexico and Matthew (Betty) Woodward of Shelton, Washington.  Sue died in 1996 and Lee was married to Janice Chatelain.  In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused Lee to move to Fayette.  After Janice’s death in 2008, Lee married Delores “Dee” Bland. 

He is survived by his wife, Dee, his three children, a grandson, Michael Woodward of Houston, Texas; and two sisters, Margaret (John) Drakesmith of Orlando, Florida and Nancy (Larry) Drebes of Fort Meyers Beach, Florida as well as two stepdaughters Karen Wyckoff of Aurora, Colorado and Gina Wyckoff of Springfield, Missouri.

Services honoring Lee’s life will be held at 10:00 AM, Sunday, July 10, 2022 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 104 W. Davis Street, Fayette, Missouri.  A reception will follow the service at the Bishops’ Hall at St. Mary’s Church.

Memorial contributions are suggested to St. Mary’s Episcopal Church or the Ashby-Hodge Gallery at CMU which may be mailed to Carr-Yager Funeral Home, P.O. Box 210, Fayette, Missouri 65248.

Condolences may be shared at www.carryager.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Carr-Yager Funeral Home, Fayette, Missouri.

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