Janice Woodward

Janice Ruth Newman Woodward was born on April 27, 1950, to Eugene and Goldie (Koehn) Newman in Ponca City, Oklahoma and departed this world peacefully at home on October 4, 2025.

Janice was blessed with three children, Ronald Woodward, Debra Woodward, and Cheryl Marie Woodward Williams. She was most proud of being called GiGi by her two granddaughters, Katelin and Shelby, who were her pride and joy.

Janice had a life altering accident in December of 1982. Instead of letting that set her back it pushed her forward to accomplish much more as a quadriplegic and she found her true calling in life to help other handicapped people with true gut determination. She pushed forward to earn her GED with constant support of Sandra Beasley and gained her independence to live on her own outside of the nursing home. In the early 1980s she worked alongside Sandra to establish the beginning of the Sandra Beasley Independent Living Center, where she worked for the remainder of her life helping others gain their independence. One of her greatest accomplishments was in 1984 being crowned Miss Wheelchair Oklahoma.

Janice is survived by her three children, Ron, Debra, Cheryl and her husband, Micah; granddaughters, Katelin and Shelby; siblings; sister-in-laws, Caroline Newman, Janice Marie Newman, Sharon Newman Bennett, Arlan Newman, and wife Tina Newman, Bert Newman and wife, Debbie Newman, along with many nieces, nephews, family, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Harley Newman and Verlen Newman and brother-in-law, Garry Bennett.