John Edward Woodard, age 54 of the Dot Community of Pennington Gap, VA was born in Plymouth, IN on Saturday, September 23, 1961 and passed away on Friday, July 22, 2016 at the Lonesome Pine Hospital in Big Stone Gap, VA. John, affectionately know as "Big John" retired from the Lee County Sheriffs Department in 2003; after 20 years with his last years as an Investigator, a job he did with "great pride". He was also a member of the Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Elys Creek. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Edward and Sandra Woodard and one infant sister, Mary Woodard. John is survived by his wife of 34 years, Kim Woodard; one son, Justin C. Edward Woodard and wife Jade of North Canton, OH; one daughter, Brittney Nelson and husband Wes of the Hickory Flatts Community of Woodway; three grandchildren, Presley Autumn Nelson (Pay Pay), Paisley Autumn Nelson (Sunshine) and Kasen Edward Woodard (Kase XX); two sisters, Jeaneen Riggs (Jim) and Susan Wallen (Bill); his father-in-law, Clyde Ellis of the Hickory Flatts Community of Woodway. He is also survived by his dearest friend and uncle, Pete Woodard of Jonesville, VA and a host of very special nieces, nephews, family and friends, among them his "buddy" Scotty Woliver, Tony Witt, Christian Baker and his very special daughter, April, husband Bruce and God-grandchild Liam. Funeral services will be held at 7:00 P.M. Sunday, July 24, 2016 in the Province Funeral Home Sanctuary in Pennington Gap, VA with Tom Williams and Tony Witt officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 P.M. Sunday until time of services. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, July 25, 2016 at Lee Memorial Gardens in Woodway, VA. Family and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home at 12 noon on Monday to go to the cemetery. Pallbearers will be Justin Woodard, Wesley Nelson, Dink Willis, Scotty Woliver and Tyler Blevins. Honorary Pallbearers are Christian Baker, Bill Ellis, Pete Woodard, Kasen Edward Woodard and Jim Ellis. Memorials and contributions can be sent to the family by visiting www.provincefuneralhome.com We are located at 42098 E. Morgan Ave. Pennington Gap, VA 24277. Phone 276-546-2456 Province Funeral Homes are honored to be serving the family by John "Big John" Woodard. Service Information Visitation Sunday July 24, 2016 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM Province Pennington Gap Funeral Home 42098 East Morgan Ave Pennington Gap, VA 24277 Funeral Service Sunday July 24, 2016 7:00 PM Province Pennington Gap Funeral Home 42098 East Morgan Ave Pennington Gap, VA 24277 Graveside Service Monday July 25, 2016 1:00 PM Lee Memorial Gardens 1986 Hickory Flatts Rd. Pennington Gap, VA 24277