Jewell George Woodliff

The Reverend Jewell George Woodliff, 83, was born February 22, 1937 and passed from this life on April 18, 2020 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was born to parents Jewell Conover Woodliff and Julia (Lindsey) Woodliff, on 2/22/1937 in Ratcliff, Arkansas.

He joined the Booneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Booneville, Arkansas, on June 27, 1952. After receiving the call to the ministry while still serving in the United States Airforce, he came under the care of Porter Presbytery on September 21, 1961, was immediately instructed to preach at Logan Hall Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and told to enroll in the Home Study Course. He was licensed on September 20, 1962, and, after completing home study and attending in-service school, ordained on September 24, 1965. In the early-1990s, George attended St. John’s University of Practical Theology in Springfield, Louisiana. He received a degree in Religion in 1994. Over the course of his ministry, George held pastorates or supplied the following Cumberland Presbyterian congregations: In Porter Presbytery in Arkansas, Logan Hall (1961-1962), Shaver (1962-1964), Old Union (1964-1965), Antioch (1964-1965), and Prairie Grove (1966-1969). He served Liberty in Muskogee, Oklahoma, from 1969-1974; Concord in Troup, Texas from 1974-1977; Cumberland Grove in Rush, Texas, from 1974-1975; St. Andrew in El Dorado, Arkansas, from 1977-1980; Locust Grove in Oklahoma from 1980-1983 and again from 1994-1997; Pilot Prairie in Waldron, Arkansas, from 1983-1987; Pleasant Hill in Eutaw, Alabama, from 1987-1988, Branchville in Odenville, Alabama, from 1988-1994; and Harrodsburg in Kentucky from 1998-2003, when he retired from full-time ministry.

After retirement, George returned to Arkansas and served Pilot Prairie Cumberland Presbyterian Church from 2004-2013. He retired from the ministry entirely after again serving Prairie Grove in 2014.

George enjoyed watching Razorback Football and Saint Louis Cardinals Baseball.

After retirement, he took up dancing, enjoyed gardening, and spent many hours at the Senior Center, both participating in activities, and volunteering. He read his Bible daily and kept a prayer list on a notepad that contained names of people from all over, ranging from his family and longtime friends, to people he had just met. He loved and enjoyed his family and had a wonderful sense of humor. At one time, he had dozens of jokes memorized and could go without telling the same one twice. His smile, his humor, and his warm laugh will be missed by everyone who knew him.

He is survived by one son, Jonathan Woodliff of Cane Hill Arkansas, a brother, John Woodliff of Booneville Arkansas, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his Wife, Martha Ann ( Musslewhite) Woodliff, originally of Troup Texas, Mother, Julia Woodliff, Brother, JC Woodliff, Sisters, Leneal Woodliff , Estelle Van Allen, & Eula Jo Tillery, all of Booneville Arkansas, & Sister, Lucille Hall of Cordele Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations in his memory be made to either the Cumberland Presbyterian Children's home in Denton Texas, or The American Bible Society. Memorial services are pending due to Covid-19