Obituary of Judge Charles L. Woods

Judge Charles L. Woods, Sr., of Ozark, died Saturday morning, February 5, 2005, at his home in Dale County, Alabama. He was 73 years old. Funeral services will be 11:00 A. M. Monday, February 7, 2005 at Asbury United Methodist Church with Reverend Dave Rhodes and Reverend Dr. Billy D. Gaither officiating. Interment will follow in the Church Cemetery, Holman Funeral Home of Ozark directing. His grandsons will serve as pallbearers; Jonathan Fleisher, Benjamin Woods, Jessie Woods, Jason Woods, Dustin Woods, and Aaron Luck. The family will receive friends at Holman Funeral Home in Ozark from 4:00 P. M. until 6:00 P. M. Sunday afternoon, February 6, 2005. The body will be placed in the Church one hour prior to service time on Monday. Judge Woods was preceded in death by his father, J. H. N. Woods and his mother, Ellen Snell Woods; his brother, Hubert J. Woods and wife, Helen Snellgrove Woods; his sister, Edna Woods Ward and husband, Byron Ward; his brother, Newton Woods; his brother-in-law, Garner Goodbread; and a grandson, Henry Brantly Steagall. He is survived by two daughters, Frances Woods Steagall and husband, Henry B. Steagall III; Celeste Woods Fleisher and husband, David Fleisher; three sons; Charles L. Woods, Jr. and wife, Lynda Watson Woods; James Brantly Woods and wife, Joyce Watson Woods; and Michael Scott Woods and wife, Sheryl Jones Woods. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Amy Steagall Luck and husband, Aaron Luck; Jason Lewis Woods; Benjamin Howard Woods; Jesse Brantly Woods; Ellen Lacy Fleisher; Jonathan Evan Fleisher; Emily Kaye Woods; Alyssa Loraine Woods; Dustin Dykes Woods and wife, Candace Woods; Desi Woods Shrestha and husband, Niran Shrestha. He is survived by one sister, Evelyn Woods Goodbread and one sister-in-law, Florence Brackin Woods. He is survived by two great grandchildren: Lacy Marie Luck and Adam Steagall Luck. He is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Charles was a member of the Ozark National Guard, 131st Tank Battalion, which was activated in 1950. He completed Officer's Candidate School in 1951 at Fort Knox, Kentucky. After serving his tour of duty, he was discharged as a 1st Lieutenant. Upon discharge, he entered the University of Alabama, where he completed his education, receiving his B. A. and L. L. B. degrees. After graduation in January, 1958, he worked for a short time with the Legislative Reference Service in Montgomery. He moved his family back home to Ozark where he was associated with Mr. Charles O. Stokes in the practice of law for many years. He was City Judge for the City of Ozark from 1960 until 1964. In 1965, Governor George Wallace appointed him to the Board of Trustees of the University of South Alabama. He remained on this Board for approximately 40 years. He was also appointed to serve on the USA Foundation Board. In 1983 when a Second Circuit Judge position was created for the 33rd Judicial Circuit, Charles was elected to fill this position. He served in the position until his retirement in January , 2003. He was a member of the Dale County bar Association, the Alabama Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Alabama Trial Lawyers Association, and the Circuit Judges Association. Judge Woods had an excellent reputation in the legal field throughout the state. He has been described by fellow associates as being a man of character, integrity, and ability. He was fair, honest, and very knowledgeable of the law. Judge Woods was actively involved in the legal profession in Dale County for over 45 years. He thoroughly enjoyed his work. He considered this to be the driving force in his life. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Asbury Methodist Church Charles L. Woods Memorial Fund, 2536 County Road 33, Ozark, Alabama 36360; or to the charity of your choice. Service Information