Rev. Dr. Vivian B. Woodruff

Rev. Dr. Vivian Woodruff, age 84 of Glennville was a devoted wife, loving mother, faithful servant, and an anointed pastor who consistently placed God and family first in her life. The prayer that lived in her heart was that she might “open her mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel of Jesus Christ.” She desired that every word she spoke would make a difference in the lives of God’s people.

Rev. Dr. Vivian Woodruff was born on November 24, 1941, in Riceboro, Georgia, to the late Bennie Campbell and the late Celia Mae Stewart Campbell of Glennville, Georgia. On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, she peacefully transitioned from labor to reward, entering her heavenly home to be with the Lord.

She received her early education in the Liberty County School System and later attended Tattnall Industrial High School. Rev. Dr. Woodruff earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education from Brewton-Parker College in Mount Vernon, Georgia, and a Master’s Degree in Education from Troy State University in Troy, Alabama. In further pursuit of her call to ministry, she earned a Doctorate Degree in Theology from Jacksonville Theological Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida.

Rev. Dr. Woodruff began her professional career as a secretary/bookkeeper at Seckinger Elementary School in the Tattnall County School System. Compelled by her love for children and learning, she pursued higher education and became a classroom teacher. She devoted thirty-three years of faithful service to the school system before retiring with honor and distinction.

At an early age, she accepted Christ and was baptized at First African Baptist Church in Riceboro, Georgia. After relocating to Glennville, she became an active member of St. James A.M.E. Church, where she was nurtured in the Word of God. She served faithfully as lead vocalist and musician for the Senior Choir and was later appointed as a church steward.

While laboring in the vineyard of the Lord, she heard the clarion call to preach the Gospel. In 1993, Rev. Dr. Woodruff was ordained an itinerant elder in the Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She was appointed to serve as pastor of St. Luke A.M.E. Church in St. Simons Island, Georgia, and Bethel A.M.E. Church in Surrency, Georgia.

Answering the divine leading of the Lord, she dedicated her ministry solely to Bethel A.M.E. Church, where she faithfully served the Surrency community for twenty-seven years. Rev. Dr. Woodruff made history as the first female pastor to preach the Opening Worship Service of the Old Georgia Annual Conference at St. Phillip A.M.E. Church in Savannah, Georgia. Her sermon entitled “Making a Difference” stands as a living testament to her life, faith, and ministry.

Following her retirement from itinerant ministry, she united with First African Missionary Baptist Church in Glennville, Georgia, where she continued to serve faithfully as an Associate Minister with humility, love, and dedication.

Rev. Dr. Vivian Woodruff was united in holy matrimony to Master Sergeant Thomas S. Woodruff, U.S. Army (Retired), who preceded her in death. 

She leaves to cherish her precious memories three children, Dr. LaWanda Stewart-Burrison (Samuel) Murphy of Glennville, Georgia, Kenneth (Marilyn) Woodruff of Glennville, Georgia, Rev. Sharlene Hendley of Atlanta, Georgia; three grandchildren, Meghan Woodruff of Atlanta, Georgia, Christopher Woodruff of Fort Worth, Texas, LaKea Burrison Scott (Dr. Bryan Scott) of Atlanta, Georgia; also surviving are a special friend and companion, Brother Joe Nesby of Glennville, Georgia; a spiritual son, Bishop Caverous J. Boggs of Vidalia, Georgia; a sister and brother in Christ, Rev. Alfreda Hagan-Stevens (Julian S. Stevens); a goddaughter, Elizabeth Hall of Hinesville, Georgia, and a host of loving relatives, church family, and friends who will forever hold her memory in their hearts.

Family will receive friends on Thursday, January 1, 2026 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at the funeral home. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, January 2, 2026 beginning at 12:00pm at the First African Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will follow at 3:00pm at the Georgia Veterans Memorial Cemetery. 

Glennville Funeral Home has the honor to serve the family of Rev. Dr. Vivian Woodruff.