It is with great sadness to announce that on Thursday, November 3, 2022, the peaceful passing of Vernon Clair Woodruff, III was sooner than expected after a brief illness at the Baptist Hospital in Jackson, Mississippi.

Vern was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 17, 1952, to extremely proud parents, Robert and Marion Woodruff of Plymouth, Michigan.  An only child, Vern grew up with many cousins, aunts, uncles, and extended family who would all spend time with one another playing games, cooking, and sharing holidays, which were his favorite.  Mr. Woodruff graduated from Henry Ford High School in 1970 and pursued a degree from Michigan State.  His passion for wildlife and fisheries came from the love of the great outdoors as time spent with his family and friends when they would go camping, boating, and fishing in the surrounding areas of Michigan. He would often tell of his favorite memories being shared around a campfire or cooking on a gas camping stove with his parents.  All of these adventures led to a BS from Michigan State in Fisheries and Wildlife Conservation.  He married his high school sweetheart, Toba Woodruff, in August of 1974 after his graduation and they entered the Peace Corp for a few years.  His interest in fisheries led him to come back to the states and enter Auburn University in Alabama.  It was there he got double master's degrees, one in Aquaculture with Aquatic Resources and one in Business Administration.  This led to another term overseas in Jamaica with the USAID.  Soon after settling in with his new wife here, he welcomed his first-born daughter, Kelanie Aubrey Woodruff.  Many adventures were shared and forever friends were made during this time.  He found a new passion here for scuba diving, photography, and being a daddy.  In 1981, he packed up his family and moved them all to Yazoo City, Mississippi to take a job as plant manager for a catfish processing plant in the delta town of Belzoni.  Soon came a second daughter, Alicia Rae Woodruff.  A proud father of two now, he challenged himself once again by earning his Ph. D in food science and technology through Mississippi State University.  It was then that Dr. Woodruff moved his family to Clinton, Mississippi and began a 10-year job with McCarty Foods as their plant manager and director of processing.  Around 2003, he took a job with RPM Pizza.  His love for people led him to this job.  He loved the interaction with the community that this job brought, and it filled a desire within him.  His eleven-year stent came to a close when he retired and decided to focus on his health and more family time. Along the way of this journey, his daughter Alicia blessed him with three beautiful and healthy grandchildren for which he was ever so proud to be called Papaw, Danielle Skyler, Brianna Carol, and Kenneth Chadwick (Lil Chad).

Vern was loved by so many. He had an infectious laugh and a love for life.  Throughout his 70 years on this earth, he touched many lives.  His guidance and strength were ever unwavering along with the faith in God and AA.  The love for his family was without a doubt his best asset along with cooking for his people and taking care of his cat and roommate, Shim.

He leaves behind his loving family which includes Toba Woodruff; daughter, Kelanie Woodruff-Farmer and son-in-law Jason Farmer; daughter, Alicia Woodruff (Chad Cremeen); his three grandchildren, Danielle, Brianna, and Lil Chad; cat, Shim; grand dog, Stiphler; and a whole slew of people he was so joyful to call his friends.

Arrangements are being handled by Wright and Ferguson of Clinton, Mississippi.  Visitation will be on Monday, November 7, 2022, from 4:00-6:00.  A service will immediately follow the visitation and be officiated by Doug George.

In lieu of sending flowers, Vern would have you make a donation in his name to your favorite local cat rescue or shelter.