Josephine Woodard

Josie was born on October 9, 1950, in Jackson, Michigan. She was the youngest of her five siblings. She graduated in 1967 from the prestigious East Jackson High School located in Jackson, Michigan. After relocating to Nashville in 1975 she obtained her cosmetology license from Nashville State Technical School.


Josie later alongside her husband purchased and operated E & J Market. The market consisted of a dairy dip, laundromat, game room, club, and even a grocery store. She also owned two additional drive in markets. Josie held many titles to her name such as a business woman, cook, caterer, and licensed cosmetologist. She was caring, kind, funny, humble, devoted to her family and friends, and would help anyone. Anyone that she encountered would recognize her for her “Heart of Gold” and hard-working demeanor.


Josie was an amazing mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend. After the passing of her mother at the age of 9, she was raised by her oldest sister. She loved to skate, cook, spend time with family, and surprisingly go to the casino so that she could spoil her grandkids even more.


On September 14, 2021, Josie transitioned peacefully, while sleeping. She leaves, to cherish her memory, her brother Van Brown, her devoted daughter Nicole (Adrian) Jones and their children Ja-Hisha Christian, Raven (Trey) Easter, and Adrian Jones Jr; her great-granddaughter Jayce Marie; devoted son in law Adrian Jones, devoted friends Roxanne McCoy-Passmore and Lillie Frazier Gilliam, and many dear relatives and a host of wonderful friends. She is greeted in our Father’s house by her mother Roberta Brown and husband Earl C. Woodard. She will be dearly missed and will forever be loved.