John David Wofford, M.D., 86, died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on February 4, 2014. He was born August 9, 1927 to Susie Conger Wofford and George W. Wofford. He was raised in Drew, MS and took great pride in his hometown. After high school he joined the United States Navy serving during the last year of World War II.

He entered Millsaps College in 1946 and was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. At Millsaps he met the love of his life, Marion Elizabeth Ridgway. He graduated in May, 1950 and he and Elizabeth were married in July. He entered Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, PA in the fall of 1950. At Jefferson he was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honorary Society and received his medical degree in 1954. Dr. Wofford's postgraduate training included an internship at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis as well as residency in Internal Medicine at John Gaston Hospital in Memphis and the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

He practiced medicine in both Jackson and Greenwood and was a member of numerous medical societies during his career. He also served as medical consultant at Mississippi Methodist Rehabilitation Center where he was instrumental in the creation of the Stroke and Head Injury Serviceas well as the Cardiac Rehabilitation Service. His passion for medicine and his commitment to his patients made him beloved by thousands over his almost 40 years of medical practice.

In addition to his enthusiastic pursuit of his profession, Dr. Wofford was committed to both his church and his alma mater, Millsaps College. He was a lifelong active Methodist and for the last 37 years, a member of Galloway United Methodist Church. He served for several years on the Board of Trustees of Millsaps College and received the Jim Livesay Award for service to the college in 2005. A man of integrity, he was generous with his time andwill be remembered as a kind and just man who walked humbly with God.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Mary Alice Gallaspy, George Conger Wofford, William Clyde Wofford, Emily Suzanne Wofford and Jessie L. (Bud) Wofford, M.D.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elizabeth, and his children John David Wofford, Jr. M.D., (Jan), Jackson; Walter Ridgway Wofford (Laura Damon), Jackson; Emily Wofford Ward, M.D., Huntsville, AL; and Ann Wofford Rice (Bill) of Tupelo.

Also surviving are thirteen grandchildren, Taylor Stevens Wofford, M.D. (Thomas Bender, M.D.), Midland, MI; John David Wofford III, M.D. (Dorothy), Winston-Salem, N.C.; Meriwether WoffordTruckner (Chris), Jackson; Alden WoffordRaulston (Jeb), Oklahoma City, OK; Walter Ridgway Wofford, Jr. (Laura), Jackson; Damon Brantly Wofford(Mary Amelia), Jackson; Laura Peyton Wofford,Jackson; John Arthur Ward, Columbia, TN; Paul Wofford Ward, M.D. (Jessica), Dayton, OH; Elizabeth Ward Cleveland (James), Mountain Home, AR; David Louis Rice (Devon), Birmingham, AL; Marion Elizabeth Rice, NYC, NY; and Emma Susan Rice, Tupelo.

Additionally he is survived by eight great grandchildren: John Wofford IV, Russell Bender, Sadie Truckner, Hattie Wofford, Naomi Ward, Stephen Ward, J. J. Cleveland and Alydia Emig.

Visitation will be Monday, February 10 at Galloway United Methodist Church from 10:00 am to 11:30 am followed by a service of resurrection at 11:30 am. A family burial service at Lakewood Memorial Park will precede visitation.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Galloway United Methodist Church, P O Box 1092, Jackson, MS 39215;Millsaps College or a charity of your choice.

Published by Clarion Ledger, Jackson, Mississippi on February 7, 2014