Richard E. Woods, age 81, passed away Saturday, January 21, 2023, with his family by his side. He was born on June 5, 1941 in East Douglas County to his parents Olen R. Woods and Faye (Chaney) Woods. During Richard’s childhood, the family operated a dairy farm in Cabool, Mo. He attended Holt Elementary School and graduated from Cabool High School in 1959. He was president of the Future Farmers of America’s local chapter. He attended college at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo. where he met his wife Elizabeth Ann (Powell)Woods. They were married on April 20, 1963, and enjoyed more than 59 years together. Richard and Ann were blessed with three children, Steven Woods, Gregory Woods, and Robyn (Woods) Aydelott, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Richard’s greatest joy in life was his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Ralph Woods , his stepmother, Lenore Woods, and brother-in-law, Bulas Sponsler.
Richard was employed with Woolworth Corporation’s Kinney Shoe Division for more than 33 years. He managed stores in Oklahoma and Missouri, and served as president of the Battlefield Mall Association in the early 1970s. After retirement, he stayed active with part-time positions at Nabisco, Campbell Soup, and JC Penney. He enjoyed bowling and competed in leagues with his friends for many years. He spent summer days at Lake of the Ozarks and Table Rock Lake with family and had a passion for gardening and landscape projects. He and Ann traveled to several National Parks, Washington D.C., and many other destinations after retirement.
Richard is survived by his loving wife, Ann Woods; his children, Steven Woods (Amanda), Greg Woods (Shelly) and Robyn Aydelott (James); sisters, Aletta Gregory (Jesse) and Vanetta Sponsler; brother, James (Vicki) Woods and sister-in-law, Phyllis Walker. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Natalie (Alex) Fink, Riley Woods, Stephanie (Dan) VanderHeydon, Cameron Woods, Courtney Woods, Dylan Aydelott, and Emily Aydelott, two great-grandchildren, Ava Joy VanderHeydon and Richard James Fink. Reading and telling stories, going on tractor rides were some of his most favorite ways to spend time with them.
