Ruth "Elaine" Thomas WoodardAugust 13, 1928 - March 18, 2016Elaine Woodard, 87, of Nampa, passed away peacefully on March 18, 2016 after an extended illness. Elaine was born on August 13, 1928 to Floyd and Ruth Thomas in Nampa, Idaho. She was the eldest of three children and spent her entire life living on the 65-acre farm her parents first purchased in 1910.Elaine received her elementary education at Lone Tree and graduated from Nampa High School in 1946. She attended the College of Idaho in 1947 - 1948 and obtained a temporary teaching certificate. Her teaching career started at Maple Grove Elementary School and Midway Elementary School. On May 20, 1950, Elaine married her childhood sweetheart Maurice E. Woodard and they moved into the home on the Thomas farm and began farming. Elaine took leave from her teaching career to become a housewife and mother to two children, Stephen and David.After raising her sons she returned to school in 1964 attending NNC and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Elaine taught in the Nampa School system until her retirement in 1994. She spent the remaining years as a housewife and gardener.Elaine was an accomplished musician and church organist for many years. She played for weddings, funerals, social events, choirs and soloists.Elaine is survived by her husband Maurice E. Woodard; sons Stephen (Paula) Woodard of Nampa and David Woodard of Houston, TX; grandchildren Valerie (Rob) Forster and Aaron (Maria) Woodard; and five great grandsons; as well as siblings Shirley (Wayne) Eshelman and Ralph "Ike" (Jalane) Thomas, and numerous nieces and nephews.The family would like to give special thanks to Bonnie Lapidus for her excellent care and support during the last 9 months; and for the support provided by Legacy Hospice staff during her last days.In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to .A service to honor and celebrate her life will be held at 1:00 P.M. Friday, March 25, 2016 at the Nampa First United Presbyterian Church. A private burial will precede the services in the Kohlerlawn Cemetery, Nampa. Arrangements are under the direction of the Nampa Funeral Home, Yraguen Chapel. An online guestbook is available at www.namapfuneralhome.com.