Raymond Woods

Raymond Woods, 87, of The Villages, FL, formerly of Bryans Road, MD, died on April 16, 2012. Born September 16, 1924, in Alverda, PA, Raymond was the son of the late William Everett Woods and the late Emma Elizabeth Risbon Woods and was the 11th of their 12 children. He grew up hunting and fishing which were lifetime passions. As his father and brothers before him, Raymond worked in the PA coal mines for a few years before being drafted into the Army in 1943. He served in Wales for a short time and then, in his own words from writings for his family, “…I stepped into the water up to my waist and waded ashore to begin a journey…from Omaha Beach in Normandy, France to Berlin, Germany.” Raymond was assigned to the 115th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Division and after three years of service was honorably discharged in February 1946. Determined not to return to the coal mines after a brief visit in PA, Raymond moved to Washington, DC where he met his future wife, Beatrice. Raymond and Bea were married in March 1947 and in 1961 moved to their dream home in Bryans Road. There they raised their two children, son Gary and daughter Barbara. Always an avid hunter and fisherman, Raymond was also a devoted husband and father, taking yearly trips to visit relatives in WV and PA and family camping vacations with his brother Bill and family. Raymond and Bea became very accomplished square dancers during the 1970's which they thoroughly enjoyed. Raymond worked for DC Transit/Metro from 1949 until his retirement when he and Bea began traveling the country in their RV. They toured the USA and then spent six summers in AK, three of those managing a salmon fishing campground. After 45 years in their Bryans Road home, Raymond and Bea moved to The Villages in FL in 2006 to escape the cold, damp winters in MD. In his later years, even before their move to FL, Raymond became known as “The Cross Man.” His woodworking skills were put to use making beautiful handmade crosses which he gave to everyone he encountered; Raymond felt that was his mission. He believed it was very important to live in such a way that everyone would think well of him and lived his life by the words of Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “If,” which he taught to his son and grandsons and most anyone else who would listen. Raymond was preceded in death by Beatrice, his wife of 63 years 11 months, and 10 of his 11 siblings. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Jeanie Woods of Pagosa Springs, CO; his daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Gary Herman of The Villages, FL; grandson Ken Woods and fiancé Rebecca-Ellen Farrell of Fairbanks, AK; grandson Danny Sabin, his wife Stephanie and daughter Taylor, and grandson Brian Sabin, his wife Carol and daughter Kelly, all of Smithfield, VA; brother William Everett Woods of Palmyra, VA; as well as many, many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and dear friends. Visitation on Tuesday, April 24, 2010 from 10AM until Funeral Service at 11AM at Raymond Funeral Service with Reverend James Chance officiating. Burial will follow at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Waldorf, MD. Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary United Methodist Church (3235 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf, MD 20601) or to The Villages Hospice (601 Casa Bella, The Villages, FL 32162).

Raymond Woods

September 16, 1924 - April 16, 2012