When grief strikes, it can either shatter a person or become the foundation upon which they build a life of profound meaning. For Dr. Jerry Woodbridge, it became both.
As a widow who lost her husband in 2004 and a mother who endured the unimaginable pain of losing four babies, including two infants she delivered and buried, Jerry Woodbridge has walked through the valley of sorrow more times than most can imagine.
From these ashes of heartbreak, she has emerged as one of the most compassionate voices in grief support for children and families. With over forty years of experience in education, Jerry Woodbridge has dedicated her life to ensuring that no grieving child feels alone, forgotten, or misunderstood.
The Journey That Shaped a Calling
Long before she became an award-winning author, Jerry Woodbridge was a teacher who witnessed the silent struggles of grieving children in her classroom. As an elementary educator and later a national conference presenter and assistant professor at Liberty University, she spent decades on the front lines of children’s emotional development.
However, her personal life would provide the most profound lessons in grief. The sudden death of her husband in 2004 left her a widow and a single mother of two children. This tragedy forced her to navigate the complex terrain of grief while simultaneously helping her own children process their sorrow.
Instead of allowing grief to consume her, Jerry Woodbridge turned to writing. Journaling became her lifeline, a private space where she could pour out her pain, confusion, and eventually, her hope.
What began as a personal coping mechanism grew into something far greater—a mission to help others find their way through grief. She realized that children, in particular, needed language and safe spaces to process their emotions. Without such tools, their grief could lead to long-term emotional struggles and mental health challenges.
A Heart for Grieving Children
Jerry Woodbridge’s passion for supporting bereaved children stems from her dual perspective as both a grieving mother and a seasoned educator. In her classroom, she frequently supported grieving students, noting that many educators feel helpless in such situations, if they have not personally experienced loss and grief themselves.
Asking parents directly is difficult because they are often immersed in their own grief. Colleagues urged her to write a book specifically designed to help grieving children, and she eventually answered that call.
Rather than creating a non-fiction how-to guide, Jerry Woodbridge made a deliberate and powerful decision: she chose fiction and writing solely from the child’s point of view. Stories teach while providing comfort, allowing children to see themselves reflected in characters without feeling singled out or instructed.
By experiencing grief through the eyes of a character, they learn strategies, empathize, and feel less alone. This storytelling approach transformed her book from a simple resource into a gentle bridge for families and teachers navigating the delicate path of loss together.
The Books That Bring Hope
Joy Overcame Sorrow represents the culmination of Jerry Woodbridge’s life experiences and professional expertise. The story follows ten-year-old Joy Carter as she navigates the devastating loss of her beloved father, who died in a tragic car accident. Through Joy’s eyes, readers experience the raw emotions of grief: the initial shock of his death, the confusion and anger often aimed at God, the (sometimes uncontrollable) envy and jealousy toward friends who still have fathers, and the dread of forgetting a beloved parent’s face.
The narrative authentically portrays the first year of Joy’s grief journey, showing that healing, no matter the age, is a process filled with different moments and situations. She experiences setbacks and progress as she navigates grief and ultimately, hope.
This novel is embedded with scriptures or quotes that capture the message of each chapter. Then, readers are encouraged to read that part of the scripture that validates their grief and loss and reminds them that they are not alone.
Accompanying the novel is Joy’s Journal, a guided workbook designed for children ages nine through twelve. This companion resource provides thoughtful prompts, questions, and space for children to explore their own emotions as they read Joy’s story. Jerry Woodbridge understands that children often struggle to articulate complex feelings, and the journal offers a safe, private outlet for expression.
The Philosophy Behind the Mission
Throughout her numerous podcast appearances and speaking engagements, Jerry Woodbridge shares a beautiful visual that encapsulates her philosophy: “Both sorrow and joy can coexist like liquids in a coffee cup, with love bridging the gap. People grieve because they love the person they lost and that same love makes room for joy, even alongside the sadness.”
This profound insight lies at the heart of all her work. Grief literacy, as she calls it, is the foundation upon which young kids can build emotional resilience. She emphasizes the critical distinction between sympathy and empathy—teaching children that feeling sorry for someone is different from truly understanding their pain and being present with them. Her message consistently reminds audiences that grief is not something to be overcome but rather something to be carried forward, transformed by love and faith into a source of strength.
Continuing the Legacy
Today, Jerry Woodbridge continues to serve as an assistant professor at Liberty University, where she mentors doctoral candidates and inspires future educators with her caring and supportive teaching style.
She will also host a Loved Lost One Podcast this fall that will address readers’ questions on children’s loss, grief and support. Jerry maintains an active online presence through her podcast guesting, website, blog, Substack, and newsletter. Jerry is also a bi-monthly USA Global TV and Radio Host of “What’s on Your Faith Playlist?” which discusses musical moments that meet us when we need encouragement and inspiration.
Understand grief through the lens of a young child with Joy Overcame Sorrow. Grab a copy today. Discover more about the author here.
