Ira Woods, Jr of Nicholls, Georgia died on March 2, 2024, surrounded by his family, after an extended illness. He was 89 years old. He is preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Lillian Mae Woods and their eldest son, Ronald Devon Woods of Jacksonville, Florida.
Born in Tampa, Florida to the late Lizzie Mae Joyner and the late Ira Woods, Sr., Ira spent his childhood years living in various cities and towns between South Florida and South Georgia, finally settling in Douglas, Georgia with his mother and siblings. While in Douglas, he enlisted in the US Army at the tender age of 17. Because of his age, his mother had to sign for him to enlist. He completed his basic combat training, also known as “bootcamp,” at what was formally known as Camp Gordon at the time, located in southwest Augusta, Georgia. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal; Korean Service Medal (w/1 Bronze Service Star), United Nations Service Medal, and Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. During his service in the Korean War, he was stationed in Japan and South Korea, from 1952-1955. He always said that those were the coldest winters he had ever experienced and even had mild frost bite on his extremities and nose during one particular assignment.
After his tour, Ira met his wife, Lillian in her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. They had 5 children and were married for 64 years until her death on March 6, 2020. He lived a full life filled with many travels as he was a retired truck driver. He was also a skilled auto/diesel mechanic and often shared his knowledge with his wife and children, as to be prepared for any basic mechanical issues that may arise. His sons worked side-by-side with him whether it was basic car maintenance or a major motor overhaul with the family vehicles. Over the years, he had businesses in the crabbing and seafood industry, as well as a landscaping business for several years, that he shared with his sons.
In the earlier years, he and his wife Lillian with children in tow, would take work trips together on the road. His deliveries included, but not limited to hauling sod from Belle Glade, Florida (south Florida) to delivering fresh shrimp right off of the shrimp boats in Fernandina Beach, Florida (north Florida). He traveled the United States from the East Coast to the West Coast, and all the drops and loads in between. He moved his family where the work was in the early days, including Jacksonville, FL, Horseshoe Beach, FL located on the Gulf of Mexico, South Bay and Belle Glade, FL, Douglas, GA and eventually to Fernandina Beach, Florida, just to name a few. After the last child moved out, Ira and Lillian hit the road again as a driving team. Lillian with her CDL License in hand became a co-driver of semi-trucks with Ira. He will always be remembered as “Cherokee Chief” as that was his CB handle while on the road. A true truck-driving team they were! Finally, after several years in Fernandina, Ira and his wife, Lillian purchased property in Nicholls, GA and it became their forever home place where they eventually retired.
Ira had many hobbies that he enjoyed. He was a skilled carpenter and loved to do woodwork. When his two daughters married, he built each one a set of end tables and a matching coffee table as wedding gifts. He also built beautiful mug trees that were very popular in the 70s and carved spindles for beautiful tiered, corner shelves. His love of drawing was a hobby that was close to his heart. Way before the days of internet and online courses, Ira took an art class via mail correspondence (I believe we call it “snail-mail” now.) He would complete his assignments of drawings requiring various techniques and mediums, place them in a large cardboard envelop and mail them to the art teacher. The drawings were then graded and mailed back with feedback and commentary. He passed down his love of art through his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. The drawings are still a part of our family today as we have shared them with each new generation. He loved to sing and dance and was quit the jitter-bug dancer back in the day according to his nieces. We always had music in the home, and throughout the years, it was not unusual to spend evenings playing games varying from Scrabble to Poker. Music was always present in the home, so there were times of harmonizing and having good old porch sings with family and friends. He was an avid collector of classic Die-cast cars and trucks and has quite the collection to prove it. He was also a collector of mint coins. He loved all things western. . . from Gunsmoke to Rawhide, button down western shirts, John Wayne collectables, and all things in between. A little saying that we had from the time we were young children comes from the TV show Rawhide. It is a show about cattle driving, starring a very young Clint Eastwood. The theme song of the show includes the following words, “Head ‘em up, move ‘em out” meaning the cattle of course. Anytime we were traveling and would see a field of cattle, he would say, “Head ‘em up” and we would finish with, “move ‘em out.” Even when he didn’t feel his best, that was our sweet family tradition that we continued to say up until his last days. His most favorite hobby was recording old movies first on VHS, and then graduated to DVDs. He would use his love of art to illustrate the DVD covers accordingly. His favorite thing about recording the oldies but goodies, was to share with his children and grandchildren over the years, because he wanted them to experience and enjoy the classics as much as he did.
Ira loved his family and would do his best to help out with whatever the need was at hand. If we were out traveling, he required a check call to let him know we made it home. He loved to give and receive hugs. He was a softie for babies and animals. When he cooked, he was a good cook, and he would always give good instructions on how to prepare and cook all things food. In fact, his claim to fame was that he taught our mother Lillian how to cook, and she always confirmed it. He also loved to boil and color Easter Eggs. He was quick with a joke, and basically wanted to make people smile. He always had a smile that would brighten any one’s day. Even on his worst days, when you entered the room, he would say, “Hey, Baby. . . How are you doing?” He wasn’t perfect, as none of us are, but he is our precious Daddy, and we love and will miss him dearly.
Ira is survived by 2 daughters, Robin Woods Kirkland (Rod) of Glennville, GA, Rebecca Woods Callejas (Eddie) of Douglas, Georgia, and 2 sons, Richard Dewayne Woods of Nicholls, GA, and Robert Donald Woods (Tracy) of Nicholls, GA
Ira and Lillian have 20 grandchildren, 41+ Great Grandchildren, 1 Great, Great Grandchild, and several nieces and nephews.
Johnson Funeral & Cremation Services is in charge of the arrangements.