Augusta Evangeline Woodard was born on March 24, 1942 to George Luther Cook and Augusta Marie Cook (née Armstrong) in Norfolk, Virginia. At home, Augusta was known as “Van”, a shortening of her middle name, but elementary school peers were inspired by her last name and before long, she became known the world over as “Cookie”.

At the age of nine, Cookie was stirred by her Pastor’s message “Have You Got Your Keys This Morning?” That morning, she learned that biblical teachings, or gathering ‘spiritual keys’ will eventually be one’s key to heaven. She accepted Christ that day on her own accord at New Calvary Baptist Church, and those words ‘have you got your keys?’ became her lifelong tenet, and advice she would pass to loved ones.

After Cookie graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in 1960, she went on to study Early Childhood Education at Norfolk State University. After graduating in 1964, she taught elementary school in Portsmouth, Virginia for two years before answering an ad in the newspaper for African American teachers who were needed to help the integration effort in Cleveland Public Schools. Cookie began her teaching career in Cleveland in 1966, kickstarting a career spanning four decades in education.

Cookie’s career included earning a Master’s Degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1972, and additional literacy certifications from John Carroll University and The Ohio State University. In 1991, Cookie added adjunct professor to her resume, serving as a Reading Recovery Teacher Leader at Cleveland State University and later as an instructor in CSU’s undergraduate and graduate education programs. After four decades of teaching elementary, undergraduate and graduate students, Cookie retired in 2005.

In the early 1970’s, Cookie was set up on a blind date by dear friends James and Beatrice Bannerman and Katherine Lovelace to meet Fred Thomas Woodard. Cookie and Fred hit it off, but broke up shortly thereafter; a courtship that dramatically ended with the words “Fred, if I never see you again, it will be too soon!” A few months later, she accepted another date and the couple married in 1977. The pair enjoyed 33 years of marriage until the Lord called Fred home in 2011.

At home, Cookie spent her time kitchen-dancing to 40’s big band tunes, being a ‘Mom-shuttle’ to her busy daughters, and heading up the youth division of the educators’ sorority Phi Delta Kappa as advisor for the Cleveland chapter of Xinos. Cookie joined Mt. Olivet Church of God in Christ in the 1970s and was humbled to serve in several capacities over a span of 40 years including choir member, Sunday School Superintendent, Vacation Bible School Coordinator, and eventually Missionary alongside some of her dearest friends; Katherine Lovelace, Karen Rogers and Deborah Pye.

In her golden years, Cookie enjoyed an active volunteer life in her new church home Grace Tabernacle. An enduring sports fan, she kept up with the Guardians, The Ohio State University Football team, and of course those Cleveland Browns. Cookie was also an avid traveler, often hitting the road with dear friend Richard Witt, driving as far as San Antonio, TX and Key West, FL in a ’98 Corvette. Cookie’s favorite role of all, however, was being a loving and protective grandmother to her eight grandchildren; Laila, Jadyn, Amel, Skylar, Kaleb, Cameron, Zahra and of course, baby Delaney whom she proudly attested “looks exactly like me” to anyone who would listen.

Cookie is predeceased by her beloved husband Fred Woodard, and her parents George and Augusta. She is survived by her daughters Kelli Witt (Jason) and Keila Woodard of Maryland; her brother David “Tim” Brown of Norfolk, VA, her dearest friend Victoria Yarborough, her five stepchildren including Byron Slayton (Delia) of Cleveland OH; and her beloved Woodard family including Booker T. Woodard (Mamie), Joyce Pettiford, and Betty K. Johnson, along with a host of cherished cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.