Diann Woodard
In Memory of
Diann
Woodard
1951 - 2018
Memorial Candle Tribute From
James H. Cole Home for Funerals - Main Chapel
"We are honored to provide this Book of Memories to the family."
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Memorial Candle Tribute From
Andella White-Detroit Federation of Paraprofessionals Local 2350 Executive Board
"To my Union Sister Diann Woodard you are gone but not forgotten,you will be miss"
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Memorial Candle Tribute From
Jennie A Horn, President UASF-Emeritus, Local 3R AFL-CIO
"My sympathies and condolences to Diann Woodard's family. She is a wonderful sup"
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Memorial Candle Tribute From
Aona Jefferson
"Diann was a ‘Quiet Storm’ and a powerful woman of purpose! She was a phenome"
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Memorial Candle Tribute From
Dominic Sacchetti
"Always in our hearts"
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Memorial Candle Tribute From
Jacqulyn
"“Trust in Jehovah with all your heart , and do not rely on your understanding."
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Obituary for Diann Woodard

Diann  Woodard
Diann Woodard was born on July 10, 1951 in Birmingham, AL to Mack and Johnnie Mae Garner. Her parents preceded her in death. She committed her life to Jesus Christ as a young woman where she was a faithful member of Friendship Baptist Church for over 50 years.

She was a proud product of Detroit Public Schools. Diann graduated from Chadsey High School and went on to attend Michigan State University in East Lansing, where she earned a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English. Her education didn’t stop there. She received her master’s and educational specialist’s degrees from Wayne State University. She also received training in labor management at Harvard University.


Diann had a passion for educating children and she fought tirelessly for workers’ rights. Her career included 36 years as a teacher, guidance counselor, dean of students and an assistant principal in Detroit’s public schools system. She spent nine years as president of the American Federation of School Administrators and a member of the AFL-CIO Executive Council. Before being elected president of AFSA, Diann served for 16 years on the union’s General Executive Board. Her rise through the ranks of union leadership began in November 1998, when she was appointed vice president of the Organization of School Administrators and Supervisors.
Diann also served an eight-year term as a trustee to her alma mater, Michigan State University. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

In spite of her glorious career, Diann’s greatest accomplishment was being a mother to her beloved daughter, Kelly. Diann met Kelly’s father, Henry Woodard, at MSU and they eventually married on February 9, 1974. She enjoyed traveling the world and experiencing the finer things in life. Diann was an avid shopper and had a knack for house decor; a skill she passed down to her dearest daughter. She was proud of the city of Detroit and all it had to offer especially the Motown sound and its restaurant scene. Growing up in a UAW family, if it wasn’t Union, it didn’t get her support or money. Diann wasn’t afraid to speak her mind. She was a class act. She was also a devoted sister and friend who could make a delicious sweet potato pie. Diann was loved by many and will be truly missed.


Diann departed this life on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at Henry Ford Hospital. She leaves to cherish her memory: a loving and devoted daughter, Kelly Woodard; two sisters, Linda Asbell and Helen Harvey (O’Deail); two brothers, Mack Garner, Jr. (Frances) and Robert Garner; two uncles, Otis Garner (Ann), Detroit, MI and Robert Lee Garner, Birmingham, AL; along with nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.

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