Mr. John Robert Woodson, age 87, of Covington, Virginia, died Thursday, September 14, 2017 at Lewis-Gale Hospital-Alleghany, Low Moor.

He was the husband of Winona Cook Woodson.

Mr. Woodson was born May 1, 1930 in Covington, the son of the late Arch P. Woodson and Margaret D. Woodson.

A lifetime resident of this community, he served his country as a member of the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.

John was a graduate of Covington High School, where he was the president of his high school class before going on to graduate from the University of Virginia with a masters degree. Mr. Woodson taught in the Alleghany County School System prior to coming to the Covington School System in 1968 to serve as the principal of Edgemont Elementary School.

In July of 1979, he went to the School Board Offices as Director of Administrative Services, working until his retirement in June, 1995.

Mr. Woodson attended First Christian Church. He was a member of the Curtis A. Smith Post 1033 Veterans of Foreign Wars. John was an avid Covington football fan and loved cheering for his beloved University of Virginia Cavaliers.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Woodson is survived by a son, John Robert Woodson, II and wife, Rebecca of Covington; a daughter, Erin Woodson Bartley and husband, Rob of Covington; a daughter-in-law, Linda DeAngelis Woodson of Covington; seven grandchildren, Anthony Codie Woodson, Seth Alton Woodson, Amanda Woodson Dixon, Caleb R. Bartley, Chase R. Bartley, Colby L. Bartley and Levi Woodson; five great grandchildren, Jennifer Woodson, Gabriel Woodson, Aubrey Dixon, Rebeckah Nicole Woodson, Cassidy Woodson; a brother, James Chuck Woodson and wife, Becky of Covington; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Woodson was preceded in death by a son, Anthony John "Tony" Woodson in 2011; four brothers, Paul S. Woodson, Patrick Woodson, Frank Woodson, Dr. Fred Woodson; and a sister, Marie Fridley.

A funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Monday, September 18, 2017 from the chapel of Loving Funeral Home with Rev. Bill Gilliland officiating. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Graveside rites will be conducted by Curtis A. Smith Post 1033, Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Loving Funeral Home.

The family suggests that memorial tributes take the form of contributions to the American Heart Association, C/O Joy Brackman Weeks, Memorial Chairman, 2212 Dressler Drive, Covington, VA 24426.

Arrangements are being handled by Loving Funeral Home; www.lovingfuneralhome1913.com.