September 13, 2023, 88, Mount Olive —

Mr. Woodard Carlyle Burch, at the age of 88, passed away early Wednesday afternoon, September 13, 2023, at his home in the Rhodes Church community near Mount Olive. 

Mr. Burch had served with the North Carolina National Guard.  His employment with the railroad system began as a switchman with the Seaboard Coastline Railroad, which later evolved into CSX Railway.  Mr. Burch retired as a train conductor with 34 years of service.

His life will be remembered on Saturday, September 16, at 2 p.m. at Dudley Christian Church.  The service will be officiated by Pastor Blaine Smith.  Visitation will be at the church during the hour prior to the service.  In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial gifts be made to Dudley Christian Church, PO Box 859, Dudley, NC 28333.

Surviving family members include his wife of 68 years, Nell Swinson Burch, of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Audrey Burch Pridgen and Wayne Pridgen of Mount Olive, and Gina Burch Dunn and John Dunn, of Newport; two grandsons, Allen Anttila and Wesley Anttila, both of Newport; a great-grandson, Brayden Rayburn; a brother and sister-in-law, Clement and Mary Burch of Wilmington, along with their family.

He was preceded in death by a grandson, Gentry Wayne Pridgen; his parents, Bayard C. and Bertha Jennette Burch; a brother and sister-in-law, Clayton Burch and Glenda Burch Rollins; and Nell’s parents and all of her siblings.