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Woodrow G. Royster, Jr, 74, of Columbus, Georgia passed away on November 4, 2017 surrounded by his loving family.
Funeral service will be held in Edgewood Hall of Striffler-Hamby on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 11:00 AM with Dr. Tom Neville officiating. Visitation will be from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM Monday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to: Columbus Alzheimer's Association 5156 River Road, Columbus, GA 31904 or to Mount Zion Church 1232 Double Churches Road Columbus, GA 31904.
Mr. Royster was born on January 19, 1943 in Columbia, South Carolina, the son of Woodrow G. Royster, Sr. and Marie Laier Royster. He attended Baker High School (class of 1961) and Columbus College. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961 until 1964. He began his career selling insurance for Metropolitan Life in 1965 and worked for several companies before retiring including J. Smith Lanier & Co., American Family Life, AFLAC, BCBS of GA and American National. He was the Past Director of Columbus Life Underwriters Association and Past President of the Columbus Health Underwriters. He was Past President of Sertoma Club and Past Governor and State Director of Georgia Sertoma. He was a member of Mount Zion Church in Columbus and member of Mount Hermon Lodge #304.
Mr. Royster was fondly called "Poppy" by his grandchildren and all of their friends. He was very involved with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his dear wife of 50 years, Brenda Blair Royster, his brother William "Bill" Royster and parents Woodrow Sr. and Marie Royster. He is survived by his loving wife, Judy Smith Royster, his daughters Andra (Marc) Caldwell and Monica (Keith) Pierce. His grandchildren Alex (Shane) Stevenson, Tori (Ryan) Doyle, Taylor Caldwell and Hunter Caldwell and his great grandchildren Wyatt and Ellie Stevenson. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
Messages of comfort can be sent to the family at www.shcolumbus.com .
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On November 4, 2017, Ish Nazario wrote this to let us know:
Dear Lions & Lioness:
Mark Caldwell, Woody's son in law, just informed me Woody passed away at 11:15 today, Saturday November 4, 2017. He has been at St Francis for 4 weeks due to complications from COPD and digestive issues, I think. He is also the president of the BHS Almni Association. May he rest in peace.
Ismael (Ish) Nazario '61
On November 7, 2017, Ish Nazario wrote this to the Class of 1961:
Dear Classmates:
The funeral today was well attended to include, I think about 14 BHS 1961 class members. This is between the showing last night and the funeral today. I really did not really know Woody back in High School, but I knew that he was Brenda Blair boyfriend. I knew that through our own, Jack Blair. I knew Brenda better than Woody. I got to know Woody when I moved from Haubstadt, IN back to Columbus in 2001. Then, some of us members from the class of 1961, would meet occasionally. When Sandye and I married in August of 2001, Brenda and Woody attended our wedding and we just became better friends. We would occasionally go out and dine together. He was a dedicated husband to his deceased wife Brenda and present, our own Judy Smith. I think that Judy and Woody would have celebrated their third anniversary this month
Woody helped many folks and was active with the BHS Alumni Association. He was the president of the Association. He did a good job. Woody also helped me locate some 1961 folks as to when I was planning our 50 year class reunion. We did not always agree but respected each other.
Woody left a good legacy to his family and friends. He a veteran of the US Army. May he rest in peace. Thanks.
Ismael (Ish) Nazario '61
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Robert Martin (1961)
Rest In Peace my old friend. Know that you will leave a terrible void for many.
Sue Daniels (Prater) (1961)
Woody will leave a cavernous void. He worked so hard for the causes that meant a lot to him. Judy and family just know that we share in your grief.
Beverly Kaye Burchfield (Wallace) (1961)
I am so sorry to learn of Woody’s passing. He will be sorely missed.
Larry Baldwin (Dendy) (1961)
Few from the Class of '61 will likely remember me, but Woody did. He encouraged me to join the Alumni Association and he sent me an annual birthday greeting, usually Bulldog-themed because of my ties to UGA. I never had a chance to speak with him personally but I appreciated his friendliness and his dedication to the Alumni Association. My condolences to his family and many friends.
Larry Dendy
Robert M Major (1961)
Rest in piece Woody.We all will miss you my friend. Now your home with the lord and many many friends and family. God Bless
Ewell Pritchett (1961)
We will all miss our friend Woody. I certainly will. We have exhanged some interestion points of discussion in recent years, and remained fairly close in spirit. He was a stalwart member our Lions brotherhood.
At birthday time I usually reminded him that he is one day my junior. My mortallity is a little shaky right now.
My wife Donna and I extend our deepest sympathy to Judy and all the family.
Ewell D. Pritchett
BHS class of 1961
Marlene Carr (Lantzer) (1975)
So sorry to hear about Woody. What a perfect gentleman and so very kind. I was able to meet Woody and Judy at the Baker Luncheons...what a delightful person and Judy as well! Woody you will be dearly missed by many. Hope to see you again! Rest in peace.
Anne West (Anthony) (1958)
Woody was truly "one of the good guys". I remember him from high school though he was a few years behind me. He was mischievous then and in the past few years on-line when many of us looked forward to his posts daily, when he sometimes stirred the political pot and made us all think and make our opinions known. Woody you will definitely be missed by so many. My condolences to Judy and Woody's family. RIP Woody.
Donna Walding (Michlik) (1961)
Remember Woody well from years at Baker then later at reunions. We also became related later by his granddaughter , Alexa marring my nephew Shane Stevenson, son of other Baker alumnui,Bobby Stevenson and Candy Walding Stevenson.
Ewell Pritchett (1961)
Remembering my good friend and classmate... we will never forget him!
Ewell D. Pritchett