Denise C. Woodard

Denise Cecilia Woodard was born on January 10, 1963, in Schenectady, NY, to the late Milton Woodard and Marion LaBad Woodard. She was the oldest of two girls. On May 19, 2025, Denise went peacefully home to be with the Lord. Denise, a bona fide New Yorker, grew up in Harlem and the Polo Grounds Towers in the Bronx. She was educated in New York City and Schenectady schools. She later attended SAGE College, where she studied business.

Denise married the love of her life, Dwayne “Jamel” Wade on June 11, 2005, and they shared many enjoyable times together and made lasting memories. Denise’s diverse career included being a Home Health Aide, a Foster Parent, and even running her own daycare. As a loving mother and grandmother, she cherished the very special bond she had with her only daughter, LaVasha Woodard, and with her grandchildren, LaTreasure, Malachi, and Nevaeh.

Denise loved to share her delicious homecooked meals, clothes, advice, and money with her loved ones. She was a true fashionista, pursuing the latest clothing trends and hairstyles. She also loved to travel, design clothes, visit casinos, and watch her favorite TV shows. With her hearty, infectious laughter and unwavering loyalty to her family and friends, she brought joy to everyone around her. Spending time with her loved ones was Denise’s greatest happiness.

Denise was predeceased by her parents Milton Woodard and Marion LaBad Woodard, her sister Lynn Marie Woodard, her mother-in-law Yvonne Nevius, and sister-in-law Jeanette Johnson.

Denise leaves to cherish her loving memory: her dear husband Dwayne “Jamel” Wade of Albany; her siblings Ebony, Maurice and Milton Woodard of NYC; daughter LaVasha Woodard (Jamie Warner) of RI; grandchildren LaTreasure Marie Mayfield (Kurt) of GA; Nevaeh House and Malachi Richardson of Albany; great grandson King Kurt Nathaniel Mayfield of GA; Aunt Virginia LaBad of Schenectady; and Uncle Douglas Woodard of AZ; first cousins Greg Stevens (Jenny) of CA; Pamela Carter (John) and Ashby Stevens of Schenectady; Gina M. Stevens (Tyrone Forman) of DC; Mischelle Anderson Fields (Robert) of FL; her Godmother Rev. Carolyn Carrington of Albany; second cousins Monika Mathis (Theodore) of OH; Charelle CarterBrooks (Dorian) of VA; John Carter II (Melissa) of NJ; Jasmine Stevens (Alfred Torregano) and Kamille Jobe (Travis) of CA; Alexis Spencer-Anderson of DC; Imaniyeh Stevens of GA; Jedai Stevens of NYC; Donnell Forman of VA; David Woodard; father-in-law Harold Nevius, brother-in-law Harold Wade, sisters-in-law Veronica Eggleston, Sonia Bellamy, and Sandra Mitchell all of Beacon; stepchildren Laquasia, Dwayne Jr. and Amari; her dearly loved dog Foxy; and a host of extended family and friends. Denise will be greatly missed by all who knew her and loved he

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