Woodrow "Woody" Wilson Jolley Jr

Apr 14, 1942 - Aug 8th, 2023

Birth Date: Apr 14, 1942
Death Date: Aug 8, 2023
Funeral Date: Aug 11, 2023, 2:00 pm
Location: Second Presbyterian Church
Print this Obituary

Biography: Woodrow Wilson Jolley, Jr, “Woody”, went home to be with the Lord on August 8, 2023. He was born on April 14, 1942 in Warren, AR. He was the eldest son of the late Woodrow Jolley and Helen Jolley Harris. He graduated from Warren High School in 1960. Woody starred on the Warren Fighting Lumberjacks football team. He went on to Henderson State Teacher’s College on a football scholarship. He graduated with a BA degree in Biology. He continued his education at the University of Central Arkansas where he received a MSE in Physical Education and later earned his EdD from the University of Arkansas.

Woody met the love of his life, Freddie Sue Johnson, at Henderson State. It was the classic love story of star football player marries Homecoming Queen. They were married on June 8, 1963. Woody coached and taught for 25 years in the Little Rock School District. He finished his career after 25 years at his beloved alma mater Henderson State University. Woody was inducted into the Arkansas State Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2011. He was named into the Reddie Hall of Honor in 2013. He also served on the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Board. In all his years of coaching and teaching, Coach Jolley touched and influenced numerous young lives.

Woody was a lifelong Presbyterian. He served as an Elder at First Presbyterian in Arkadelphia, and a Deacon at Second Presbyterian in Little Rock. He will be greatly missed by the children and youth that he loved and mentored at Second Presbyterian Church.

Woody is survived by his wife of 60 years, Freddie Sue Johnson; his brother Dr. Rudy (Carolyn) Jolley of Little Rock; Sisters, Karen (Butch) Belin of Banks, Jane Harris of Warren and Joan(Mark) Harris of Wilmar; daughter Melissa (Grant) Pate of Fulton, MS; son Dr. Ted (Lori) Jolley of Little Rock; his favorites, granddaughters Katherine Pate of Birmingham, AL; Emily Pate of Fulton, MS, and Lucy and Piper Jolley of Little Rock; sister-in-law Vivian (Dave) Henderson of Little Rock; Nieces, Susan (Herren) Hickingbotham of Little Rock, Angie (Matt) Farquhar of McKinney, TX, Jennifer (Matthew) Smith, and Ashley (Hunter) Henderson; great nieces and nephew, Hayden and Christian Hickingbotham, Mary Ellis and Ebby Farquhar; Cousins Belle (Carlos) Richardson Summers, Jerry (Camille) Richardson, Leanna (Glenn) Richardson McClendon, the late John (Elizabeth) Richardson and Rhea Clower Burch.

Visitation will be on Thursday, August 10 from 5:00-7:00 at Second Presbyterian Church Little Rock. A celebration of life will be held on Friday, August 11 at 2pm at Second Presbyterian Church. Memorials may be made to the Second Presbyterian Youth. (SPY) Arrangements are under the direction of RuebelFuneralHome.com

Condolences(18)

Angela Sewall

#18

Aug 13th, 2023 11:32 am

Freddie Sue- I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts at this difficult time!

Jane Lovett Holt

#17

Aug 13th, 2023 10:20 am

Freddie & Family,
Woody was a exceptional man. He and I taught at Parkview together. I will treasure the memories I have of his sense of humor and his kindness.

Jay Freibolt

#16

Aug 11th, 2023 5:40 pm

Evelyn and I sending prayers to the Jolly family

Eddie & Judy Reed

#15

Aug 11th, 2023 4:04 pm

Freddie & family,
It’s so sad to hear of Woody’s passing. This week both of you have been at top of our minds as we reminisced about Henderson memories. Those were the days, weren’t they? We will be praying that God will lift your family up as you go through this difficult time. We’re sending our love and caring thoughts.
Eddie & Judy Reed

ann pace

#14

Aug 11th, 2023 12:01 pm

Freddie and family, so saddened to hear this news. Woody was such a delight...he always made me laugh! I know he will be
missed forever.

Ken & Glynda Parks

#13

Aug 11th, 2023 11:07 am

Freddie and Family:
We are very sorry to hear of Woody’s passing. We just saw Woody at Bobby Agee’s memorial services.
Woody was an honorable man, great athlete, coach and teacher. He will be missed by all!
Coach Ken Parks

Rhonda and David Thigpen

#12

Aug 11th, 2023 5:14 am

What a great man! He was always good to our family when he was at HSU. He took time to follow our kids and never missed a chance to ask and be concerned about them. He was so supportive and truly cares about his students. He was so proud of his wife and family and would share their highlights of success when we visited. He was never without that smile. Prayers are with you during this sad and difficult time. God bless

Robert and Sharon Hallmark

#11

Aug 10th, 2023 2:32 pm

We are so sad to hear of Coach Jolley’s passing. He was my PHJH basketball coach and I always enjoyed catching up with him. He was always one of my favorites! We saw him a few months ago and he looked great. We wish we could be there Friday but we are out of town. May you feel God’s presence in the coming days.

Steele Hays

#10

Aug 10th, 2023 1:24 pm

I met Coach Jolley when I was a student at Pulaski Heights Junior High and he was just starting his career in the late 1960s -- he was the assistant coach, coaching basketball and track. I got to know him well when I served as basketball team scorekeeper and track team student manager. He had great rapport with students and student-athletes and was extremely well liked and respected. He was a great role model. We need more like him today. Rest in peach, Coach Jolley.

Virgil and Jenny Swilling

Aug 10th, 2023 1:12 pm

We were sorry to hear about Woody. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

Ronnie and Allison Echols

Aug 10th, 2023 11:55 am

Freddie, we are saddened by your loss of Woody, and pray for endurance and peace for you and family.

Bobbie Ann (Curtis) Yancey

Aug 10th, 2023 10:02 am

I met Dr Jolley as a professor at HSU and he instantly was a favorite of mine! He was always full of humor and also knowledge. He was a great man and leader! He will be greatly missed!
All my love and prayers,
Bobbie Ann Yancey & family

Ann Bell Bryan, Jim and Ann Ballard Bryan

Aug 10th, 2023 12:08 am

To the Jolley Family, the Bell and Bryan Families send our sincere condolences. Woodey and Freddie were highly admired by my parents from their college days together. Years later, they would welcome me into the Reddie family as team physician, always taking a moment to visit on game days. I will miss our visits in the seasons to come. All will agree, Woodey was among the Jolliest persons they knew!

JoLynn Benson Todd

Aug 9th, 2023 11:14 pm

Dear Freddie & family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God bless and comfort you all in the days ahead.
Sincerely,
JoLynn Todd

Pat Jones

Aug 9th, 2023 6:58 pm

We lost a very good man! Regrets to Freddie and the family! R.I.P. Coach Jolley! Pat Jones, Tulsa, OK.

Mike and Kristi Christenson

Aug 9th, 2023 4:55 pm

We are saddened by the news of Dr. Jolley’s passing. There are people in this world that are loving, and then there are those, like the Jolley’s, that love you. We, our children and grandchildren are honored to say we are loved by the Jolley’s. Thank you for all that you poured into our sons and daughter in laws during and after their time at HSU. You will forever be in our hearts.
Sincerely,
Kristi and Mike Christenson

Mike and Kristi Christenson

Aug 9th, 2023 4:53 pm

Sandra Carter Williams

Aug 9th, 2023 3:27 pm

On behalf of my mother (Ouida Carter) who worked closely with Coach Jolley, our family would like to extend our deepest condolences to the Jolley family.

Leave your Condolence

* Enter verification code

Top