Vernon received a call, sort of an offer he couldn’t refuse, for an appointment from which he will not be returning. The assignment came with a huge sign-on bonus, a reunion with twenty-one of his family members he had not seen in a long time. On the afternoon of 02/22/2022, he became the 22nd member of our family to arrive in Heaven. Vernon was born in Compton, California, on August 14, 1956, to a large family of loving parents and eight siblings; four brothers and four sisters. He was the baby of the family, and he hated to be referred to as “the baby,” but he was the baby, and everyone did a great job spoiling him!
As a young boy, he was energetic, rambunctious, courageous, and very funny! His teenage years were somewhat challenging for his mom. His amusing behavior came out when he decided to throw a party while his mom left him alone with distant supervision from his older brother. She received a call from the Sacramento PD stating they were breaking up a party and found MJ in her indoor coleus plant. She told them she had been watering it but had no idea anything else was in the pot but her flower! Neither went to jail for it, thank goodness. Vernon moved to Mountain View, Missouri, with the love of his life, Melissa, in 1994. He found Missouri to be just what he was looking for; a simpler life. Vernon was a contractor and a darn good one. He built several homes there, remodeled many, and made a name for himself because he did quality work. He loved his family, his community, and what he did for a living. In 1995, Vernon and Melissa welcomed another boy into the family. Danny, now 26 years old, was the “light of his life.” He was proud of him, and they became best friends, making many memories together, which brought so much joy to Vernon. He always had a soft spot for the many dogs he had throughout his life. They were his and Melissa’s extra kids.
Vernon Rhee Woods, 65 years old, lived his life on his terms and left this world on his terms. Typical of Vernon, he fought a mean battle in the last several months. Though his body was frail and tired, his spirit was full of grateful appreciation for his time on this Earth, and when asked how he was doing, he would always say, “Well, I’m still kicking!”
He was preceded in death by twenty-one family members; his grandparents, parents, six siblings, and several nieces and nephews.
Vernon is survived by his wife, Melissa; two sons, Danny and wife, Caitlyn and Brett; three grandsons, Blake, Tucker, and Lincoln; a brother and sister in California; and many nieces and nephews throughout the country, who dearly love their Uncle Vernon.
