Obituary of Elder Shawn S. Woodward

On Thursday, July 23, 2020, our beloved Elder Shawn Sattimio Woodward departed this life and entered into God’s eternal care. He was 59 years old. 

Shawn was born on September 12, 1960 in Washington DC to the late Franchot and Delores Woodward. Shawn had a big family and had eight siblings. He was the fifth eldest child. He received his education in the Prince Georges County Public School System and was a proud alumnus of Northwestern High School. He served proudly in the Army Reserves from 1979 to 1985. 

Shawn was full of life even at a young age. He was always on the go. Even when his mother would tell him to “sit down,” he just couldn’t. Eventually, Shawn’s life took a turn toward the path that God would have for him. He was led to travel to Boston, Massachusetts to serve in the Teen Challenge ministry, a restoration program for youth. During his tenure in Boston, Elder Shawn received his call into ministry to become an Evangelist in 1989. This would be the beginning of the “new thing” that God was imparting into his life. He attended Zion Bible College in Providence, RI during his stay in Boston which enabled him to enhance and enrich his learning of the Word of God. Elder Shawn graduated at the top ten of his class in 1994 and received a Certificate of Divinity. He stayed in Boston for seven years, evangelizing and preaching in the streets the message that God still used him to preach until his death, “Do You Know What Time It Is?” 

Elder Shawn was a faithful member of Highway Christian Church of Christ (HCCOC) for more than 20+ years. He served under the leadership of Bishop Herman Ginwright, Presiding Bishop over the HCCOC organization. Elder Shawn grew in the organization serving, evangelizing and ministering. As a young adult, he served as the Youth Vice President of the organization. The Woodward family, of which Elder Shawn was a third-generation member, were faithful members of the organization and it was his desire and vision that all of his family would be at HCCOC under one roof.

Shawn held various occupations throughout his career. Before his death, he was employed with the High Road Academy in Laurel, MD where he enjoyed working with students and being a jack of all trades, lending a hand wherever needed.

In 2008, he met his bride Tyrene near the “Big Chair” in Washington DC. It was a short courtship as Elder Woodward would always say, “I knew you were my wife when I first saw you.” Out of this union, four children were born- Lydia, Shawn, India, and Elijah. He would always say, “God waited until I was almost 50 to give me these kids.” Shawn adored his children and loved spending time with them. When you saw him, you saw them.

Elder Shawn had a passion for young people. He was a mentor and a coach, a father figure and role model in his community. He just knew how to relate to young people. As a football and basketball coach throughout the DMV, he taught young people on how to be great athletes, encouraged them to excel in school, and reminded them to put God first. Coaching to him was more than a volunteer exercise, but it was also an opportunity to introduce Jesus Christ to his players and their families. 

Elder Shawn loved to preach. He would preach and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ anywhere and everywhere including in the streets of DC, prisons, grocery stores, the football field, and everywhere he went. He was truly a laborer in the harvest. 

He loved his community and many who crossed his paths were impacted by his exuberant spirit. He would encourage, inspire, and be a listening ear. Even in his last days on earth, you could find him in the streets involved in the “Black Lives Matter Movement” and protesting about gun violence. He was a giver and would give of his last dime to anyone in need even if it meant that he would go without.

Elder Shawn Woodward will truly be missed, but the seeds he has planted in the lives of others have left a deposit in the earth for the next generation and for generations to come. He was preceded in death by his parents Franchot and Delores Woodward; sisters India Woodward and Saadia Sahadeo (David). He leaves behind, his loving wife, Tyrene Woodward; his four biological children, Lydia, Shawn, India, and Elijah Woodward and his step-son, Daniel Huling; his siblings Rhonda Redd, Debra Woodward, Francisca Woodward, Sharia Hemphill (Reginald), Raoul Woodward (Juanita); mother-in-law Denise Derricotte; sister-in-law Tisha Adeleke (Tola); and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.