Dickson, TN - Burial Services will be conducted at the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, 7931 McCrory Ln, Nashville, on Friday, January 23rd at 11 am. A visitation time will begin at 3 pm with a Memorial service immediately following at 4 pm at Taylor Funeral Home, Dickson, TN. Pastor Wes Sesler will officiate the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Ray's memory to the Mississippi Baptist Children's Home,118 Lowe Road, Laurel, MS 39443. https://www.msbch.org/donation-form

Ray Edgar Woodall, age 89, of Dickson, TN went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at Alive Hospice Care Center in Nashville, TN.

He was born August 19, 1936, in Meridian, MS, the son of the late Johnnie Edgar Woodall and Ruby Lola Smith Woodall. He lived in Morton, MS during his high school years, graduating from Morton High School in 1954. Ray served in the US Army, enlisting in 1954 and heading to Schofield Barracks after cryptography school. Upon completion of his service commitment, he used his GI Bill to go to Mississippi College. While there he met his bride, Rose, and they married in 1958. Also, during this time, he earned his Master Mason degree in 1957 from the Freemason Grand Lodge of Mississippi. He was a member for over 68 years.

Ray was ordained in April 1957 by his home church in Morton, MS and pastored many churches in the northern Mississippi area during his school years. After completing his BS in Education in 1959, he went to New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, while pastoring churches and beginning his family. After earning his Master of Divinity in 1964, he went on to Pastor in Bossier City, LA. It was there where he heard a strong calling from the Lord to return to the Army during the Vietnam war. He was commissioned as a First Lieutenant in the US Army Reserves in July 1966. He entered active duty in January of 1967. His military pastoral duties included preaching, pastoral care, visitation, pastoral counseling, and hospital chaplaincy.

He had many assignments, the first being Vietnam, where he was stationed in Saigon during the Tet Offensive. There were numerous assignments over the years including Fort Ritchie, MD where his duties included serving as Chaplain for Camp David and conducting worship services for the President of the United States, his guests and members of the White House Staff.

His awards from the service include the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal (5), Armed Forces Expedition Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, National Police Honor Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

Ray retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in July 1991. He was a lifelong learner and lover of history earning another degree and completing many professional courses while serving. Upon his retirement, he and Rose built a home in Dickson, TN in 1993. They have made it a place of great joy. He has imparted wisdom and many skillsets to his grandchildren, including properly stirring the Nesquik into a cold glass of milk, a job well done being its own reward, tractor driving, the joy of a Dr. Pepper and a pack of Nabs, and hearty laughter following a good joke which came with every lesson.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Faye Eloise Woodall Neault. He is survived by his wife, Rose Maria Wardlaw Woodall, daughters and sons-in-law: LaWanda and George Wiggins, Melissa and Donnie Guthrie and Stephanie and Mike Archer. He was blessed with 14 grandchildren: Lauren Moore, Matthew Wiggins, Jonathan Wiggins, Victoria Wiggins, Daniel Wiggins, Kendal Guthrie, RaeAnn Guthrie, Ryan Guthrie, Ian Guthrie, Jacob Archer, Zachary Archer, Grace Archer, Rebecca Archer, Caleb Archer, 11 great-grandchildren and several loving nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by lifelong friends, JB and June Miller and Pastor Carl Duck. Their bonds are unshakable and were a blessing throughout his life.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Taylor Funeral Home www.taylorsince1909.com (615) 446-2808