Woodruff, an Alleghany education icon, dies at age 77
By COBY LaRUE
Staff
John Woodruff, an icon in Alleghany County Schools who served over 20 years as superintendent, died last Saturday, April 25, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
Woodruff was more recently known for his work in founding the Alleghany Education Foundation, which had raised more than $2 million to help local students attain higher education. A memorial scholarship fund has been set up with the Education Foundation and contributions may be made in his honor by mail or in person at 85 Peachtree St., Sparta, NC 28675.
Alleghany County Schools closed early on Tuesday in honor of Woodruff's passing, with students let go at 11:30 a.m. at the elementary schools and noon at Alleghany High School.
Woodruff's funeral was planned for 1 p.m. at the Sparta United Methodist Church. He is survived by his wife, Rita, of the home, and a son, Jay, of Raleigh. A brother and sister-in-law, Bill and Hilda Woodruff of Albemarle, and a sister and brother-in-law, Ellen and Paul Smith of Laurel Springs, also survive. One brother, Guy Woodruff, preceded him in death.
Woodruff was born in Stratford on Nov. 4, 1931 to the late Wilmer C. Woodruff and Flossie Miller Woodruff. He was graduated from Sparta High School in 1949 and attended Pfeiffer Junior College from 1950-1952, the transferred to Appalachian State University, where he graduated in 1954.
Following a two-year service in the military, Woodruff began his storied career in local schools with a teaching post at Piney Creek School, followed by appointment as Alleghany County's Superintendent of Schools in 1965, a post he held until retiring in 1986.
Woodruff was also a Sunday school teacher with his own class at Sparta United Methodist Church, a long-time member of the Lions Club, a board member with the Alleghany Rescue Squad, and a fixture on many local, state and national boards. A complete list appears in his obituary on Page 9.
In addition, he was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in October 2008 and was inducted into the ASU Rhododendron Society for his contributions to education.
Sparta Mayor and retired educator John Miller noted that he had recently vacated the teaching position that Woodruff first filled to enter military service himself.
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