WOODROW WILSON JOLLEY, JR., “WOODY”,
went home to be with the Lord on August 8, 2023. He was born on April 14, 1942 in Warren, Ark. He was the eldest son of the late Woodrow Jolley and Helen Jolley Harris. He graduated from Warren High School in 1960. Woody starred on the Warren Fighting Lumberjacks football team. He went on to Henderson State Teacher’s College on a football scholarship. He graduated with a BA degree in Biology. He continued his education at the University of Central Arkansas where he received a MSE in Physical Education and later earned his EdD from the University of Arkansas.
Woody met the love of his life, Freddie Sue Johnson, at Henderson State. It was the classic love story of star football player marries Homecoming Queen. They were married on June 8, 1963. Woody coached and taught for 25 years in the Little Rock School District. He finished his career after 25 years at his beloved alma mater Henderson State University. Woody was inducted into the Arkansas State Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2011. He was named into the Reddie Hall of Honor in 2013. He also served on the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Board. In all his years of coaching and teaching, Coach Jolley touched and influenced numerous young lives.
Woody was a lifelong Presbyterian. He served as an Elder at First Presbyterian in Arkadelphia, and a Deacon at Second Presbyterian in Little Rock. He will be greatly missed by the children and youth that he loved and mentored at Second Presbyterian Church.
Woody is survived by his wife of 60 years, Freddie Sue Johnson; his brother Dr. Rudy (Carolyn) Jolley of Little Rock; Sisters, Karen (Butch) Belin of Banks, Jane Harris of Warren and Joan(Mark) Harris of Wilmar; daughter Melissa (Grant) Pate of Fulton, Miss.; son Dr. Ted (Lori) Jolley of Little Rock; his favorites, granddaughters Katherine Pate of Birmingham, Ala.; Emily Pate of Fulton, Miss., and Lucy and Piper Jolley of Little Rock; sister-in-law Vivian (Dave) Henderson of Little Rock; Nieces, Susan (Herren) Hickingbotham of Little Rock, Angie (Matt) Farquhar of McKinney, Texas, Jennifer (Matthew) Smith, and Ashley (Hunter) Henderson; great nieces and nephew, Hayden and Christian Hickingbotham, Mary Ellis and Ebby Farquhar; Cousins Belle (Carlos) Richardson Summers, Jerry (Camille) Richardson, Leanna (Glenn) Richardson McClendon, the late John (Elizabeth) Richardson and Rhea Clower Burch.
Visitation will be on Thursday, August 10 from 5-7 at Second Presbyterian Church Little Rock. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 11 at 2 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be made to the Second Presbyterian Youth. (SPY) Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com.