Robert Howard Woodruff was born on April 22, 1938 to William “Buddy” Woodruff and Emma Lee West Woodruff. Mr. Woodruff entered into eternal rest early Friday morning, February 15, 2019 at Spartanburg Medical Center after a brief illness.

Deacon Woodruff was a faithful member of Harrison Grove Baptist Church where he served on the Deacon board and a member of the Rector All-Male Chorus and Gospel Mass Choir. He attended Sunday school and the Morning Bible Study Class.

He was the first African American bus driver for Spartanburg Duke Power and Sparta Transit for forty-four years. Mr. Woodruff loved people and most of all he loved God. Howard loved serving others.

He was preceded in death by: his parents; his grandparents; two sisters, Emma Meadows and Ethel Shell; his brother, Wilbert Woodruff; his son, William H. Woodruff; his infant daughter, Elizabeth Woodruff; his daughter, Patricia A. Woodruff; and his grandson, Antron Ferguson.

Deacon Woodruff leaves to cherish fond and loving memories to: his wife of fifty-eight years, Mary Carolyn Woodruff; his children, Shena Gentry of Spartanburg, SC, Carol (Elbert) Farris of Moore, SC, Richard (Walda) Woodruff and Ryan Copeland of Spartanburg, SC; his daughter-in-law Mary E. Woodruff; his sister, Bessie Davis of Duncan, SC; his brother, William J. Woodruff; his brothers-in-law, John Meadows and Otis Shippy; his sister-in-law, Shirley Smith; his twelve grandchildren; his nineteen great-grandchildren; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, friends.

A Celebration of the Life of Robert Howard Woodruff will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at Harrison Grove Baptist Church, 299 Harrison Grove Church Rd., Roebuck, SC. Rev. Allen V. Rector will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family is at the home, 315 Wheeler Ct., Spartanburg, SC.