Kadena Woodard (seated) and her mother. Mrs. Solomon Robinson, look over some of the historical documents Kadena has compliled in her quest to preserve history in the county. Photo by Andi Phipps
Her search began when preparing for a reunion of the Young and Yongue family on her father’s side.
She was able to document many of her ancestors, but was unable to locate her great-great-great Grandfather Henry Yongue’s grave to document his birth and death dates.
Woodard admits that she enjoys researching history and when coupled with the desire to find her grandfather’s grave, her interest in documenting other African American cemeteries in Fairfield County was sparked.
To date, Woodard has documented 143 of these cemeteries and her work continues on a daily basis.
“History can never be completed,” says Woodard “I have received calls and visits from as far away as California from people looking for ancestral information.”
The volumes of her collection are available at the Fairfield County Museum, Library, and Archives along with the Richland County Library and at the University of South Carolina.
Books specific to gravesites have been contributed to churches as well.
Woodard also has an extensive collection of obituaries that she began in 2003.
Now, thanks to a tradition started by Joe Glover Jr., Woodard receives obituaries from several funeral homes and churches.
Woodard hopes that preserving the obituaries will continue so that the information will be easily accessed by future generations.
Woodard holds dear the memory of Coretta Scott King whose funeral service she was able to attend.
“I admire who she was and her accomplishments,” said Woodard, “I was blessed to be able to attend the service and have preserved a copy of the service program.”
In her expansive collection of obituaries, Woodard holds most dear the obituaries of her Grandmother, Maggie Young Robinson, her sister, Solalisa Robinson, and her nephew, Tovoris Young.
Woodard reads and studies each gravestone and obituary who says “if you ask about anyone of them, I can tell you something about it then direct you to the book for further information.”
When not working on her collection, Woodard works for Fairfield County, attends Gethsemane Baptist Church, enjoys spending time with her 2 sons and 5 grandchildren, and says “I am blessed to still have five siblings and my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Solomon Robinson of Blair.”
With thanks to Mary Lee Hendrix, Omega Thomas and many others, Woodard welcomes copies and information from the community and encourages anyone to contact her at kwoodard@truvista.net.
Woodard plans to continue her search for Henry Yongue as long as she is living and able, and has a prayer, “if something happens to me, I want my family to continue this work.”
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