Rev. Charles Reece Woods, Sr., passed away in Albertville, AL on September 16, 2020 with his family at his side. He was born in Haleyville, AL on November 8, 1933 and grew up in Holly Pond, AL where his parents, Charles C. and Esther Woods taught high school.
He graduated from Howard College (now Samford) in Birmingham in 1955 and earned his Master’s Degree in Church Music from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY in 1958. He served as a Minister of Music in Dothan, Montgomery, Huntsville and Hueytown before being called to First Baptist Church Albertville in May 1970. He served in as Minister of Music and Youth and Senior Adults over his years of service there, and as a deacon after his retirement. He founded the Great Physician’s Clinic at the church to provide free dental care and other medical services, which has helped thousands of people in need over almost two decades.
He was President of the Alabama Singing Men in 1985-1986. He received the Retired Minister of the Year Award from Samford University in 2004. He was recognized as Citizen of the Year by the Albertville Chamber of Commerce in 2018. He and JoAnn were honored as Grand Marshalls of the Albertville Christmas Parade in 2019.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Rosa Woods Caufield (Bob). He is survived by his wife of 65 years, JoAnn Aman Woods, son Charles R. Woods, Jr. (Fern), daughter Melissa A. Vaughn, and grandchildren John C. Woods, Nathan B. Vaughn, Anna L. Woods, and Alison M. Woods.
He is remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather and as a friend and mentor to many in his church and community. He was a servant leader and servant of God, a willing vessel whose work saw many lives transformed. He saw the beauty of the earth through eyes of worship. He sought and lived out truth and brought joy to everyone around him.
The funeral service will be livestreamed from First Baptist Church Albertville at 10:30 a.m. CST Saturday morning September 19, 2020. Link is http://albertvillefbc.church, or FaceBook may be searched for First Baptist Albertville. Service and graveside ceremony are limited to family only. The family requests that donations be made to the Great Physician Clinic of First Baptist Church, Albertville, in lieu of flowers.
