Lynn Alan “Mayo” Woodard passed away suddenly on December 1, 2025, after a long journey with heart disease. Until the end, Lynn maintained strong relationships with family and friends. She was born September 21, 1959, Norfolk, Virginia, the daughter of Hart Mayo III and Evanti V. Mayo.

Lynn attended Lindenwood Elementary and graduated from Granby High School in 1977. She earned an associate's degree in Sociology at Tidewater Community College. While attending TCC, she studied abroad at Oxford where she once sipped tea with Queen Elizabeth II. In the late 1990s, Lynn earned a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies (Concentration in Special Education) at Norfolk State University through the DeWitt Wallace-Reader’s Digest Fund; a program supporting Norfolk Public School paraprofessionals to become successful teachers in urban schools.

For over twenty-years she worked for Norfolk Public Schools as a paraprofessional and special education teacher. Lynn also taught and counseled special needs children at Chesapeake Bay Academy, and at-risk youth at Calvary Christian Schools. Students everywhere appreciated her hilarious banter, witty comments, nurturing demeanor, and unwavering forgiveness. As an administrator, she directed the Prisoner Reentry Program at Reynolds and Associates, a contractor with the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Even the most hardened criminals respected Lynn. She consistently went out of her way to empower the less fortunate, someone always willing to listen without judgment. She didn’t care much for screens, Instagram, emojis or even Facebook; instead, she cherished traditional relationships filled with laughter and the human touch.

Lynn was a family member of Calvary Baptist Church, Las Amigas and other sororal organizations. She particularly liked Tyler Perry film productions and once hung out with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s “Father Phil,” James Avery. Lynn, a childhood cellist, had a lifelong passion for the fine and performing arts. She enjoyed the symphony.

Lynn had a zest for life, whether watching late-night classic films, attending family gatherings, shopping, long road trips or dancing at various black-tie charity events. She was a very proud Norfolk Academy parent, a dog lover, and fried chicken afficionado. At times she was overbearing but always had your best interests at heart. She had a heart of gold, often placing the needs of others before her own. During her illness, she would drop off pizzas at her doctor’s office just because it was a nice thing to do.

Remaining to cherish Lynn’s memory are Eston, her son; life partner, Ron Garner, cousins Denise Forney, Valencia, Santanna and Sevyn, Dale and (Alphie) Douglas, Matt and Grace and the McIntosh family including Ben, (Steven, Melvin, and Desiree,), “Penny,” (LaTrece and Dominic, and Jeremie), Pat, (Victor and Patrick),  Mishelle, (Tanya, Alisha). A very special thanks to Luther and Stephanie Woodard of Carrollton, VA and her lifelong friends Princess Williams, Kim Faulks and Tawana Bates Burtt. Exceptional gratitude to Dr. Dana Keys-Frezzell and team at JenCare Senior Medical Center. Shout out to Brenda Etheridge, Ben Macbath, Denita Jones, and Purnell White.

A family gathering celebrating her life will be held January 10th. Contact Denise Valerie “Forney” at forneydenise1@gmail.com to learn more. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Chesapeake Care Clinic https://www.chesapeakecare.or…

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