Promoted to Glory: Major Lillie Woodard

Major Lillie Woodard was Promoted to Glory on February 16, 2026, at the age of 95. 

Lillie Mae Newcomb was born on July 12, 1930, in Saratoga Township, NC, to parents E.D. and Rebecca Newcomb. On June 2, 1949, she married the love of her life, Moses Earl Woodard.  

Of her calling to Salvation Army officership, young Lillie wrote in her preliminary application: “I realized my need to serve the Lord and gave my heart to Him in October 1947. It was a wonderful feeling in my soul when I accepted His peace, love, and joy. I didn’t think about the seriousness of dedication of serving the Lord until several years later. I became unhappy in my work, as I knew that I wasn’t doing all that I should for the Lord. My husband was not a Christian (at the time) and for two years the Lord was working on him. I felt The Salvation Army was the church for me to join, and I began assisting in Sunday school teaching. The Lord revealed to me that we should go into full-time service. I prayed that my husband would have the same feeling, so when he came home (one day) and told me he felt the same, I knew that’s what our future must be!” 

The couple entered the Training College from Wilson, NC in 1959 as members of the Greathearts session of cadets. Once commissioned on May 30, 1960, the Woodards went on to serve their entire career as corps officers in the North & South Carolina Division. Their pastoral appointments included: High Point, Lexington, Waynesville, Orangeburg, New Bern, Gaffney (two separate times), Sumter, Wilmington, Hickory, and Greenville (North). By the time they honorably retired on August 1, 1994, the couple had faithfully served their flocks for just over 34 years. 

Major Lillie Woodard is preceded in death by her husband, Major Earl Woodard. She is survived by her daughter, Pam. 

A graveside service is planned for February 20, 2026, at the Evergreen Memorial Park in Wilson, NC.