On Wednesday September 8th, 2021, Kenneth Roy Woody gained his heavenly reward at the age of 92. He was lovingly surrounded by his family at his home in Russellville, Arkansas. He was a lifelong member of the United Pentecostal Church.
Kenneth was born May 23, 1929, in Onia, Arkansas (Stone County) to Benjamin and Edna (Martin) Woody. After courting for three years, on August 11, 1949, in Truman Arkansas, he married Dotsie Vandergriff. She has been his lifetime sweetheart and constant companion. She resides of the home.
He is also survived by his three children, Alan (Barbara) Woody of Venice, Florida, Donna (Robert) Hamby of Russellville, Arkansas, and Brenda Barber of Russellville, Arkansas; five grandchildren, Melanie (Brandon) Callicott, Meagan (Steven) Minniear , Tarah Evans, Leah (Ian) Glidewell, and Wendy Brown; ten great-grandchildren, Emily Callicott, Trace Minniear, Rhett Minniear , Grace (Davis) Roden, Nathanael Evans, Isaac Evans, Catherine Evans, Josiah Barber, Abigail Birmingham, Natasha Brown; and great-great grandsons, Shepherd Evans Jayroe and Layton Brown.
He is also survived by his sister, Bonnie Browning of Hot Springs, Arkansas, whom he loved and treasured, as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his infant son, Jeffrey Scott Woody; his parents, three brothers, six sisters, son-in-law, Terry Barber; and grandson, Randy Evans.
Kenneth, or Woody, as he was called by some, was a long-time resident of Dexter, Missouri, and employee of Foushee Candy Company. In 1959, he moved his family from Rockford, Illinois to work with his best friend, Keith Foushee and his brothers at their start-up company. Through the years he became Sales Manager, and later Warehouse Manager. He was respected and loved by all he worked with.
After retiring, he and his wife moved to Temple, Texas to be close to family. In 1995, they followed their children and grandchildren to El Dorado, Arkansas. During this time they loved to visit their son and daughter-in- law in Florida, eating fresh seafood, picking oranges from their backyard and being treated like royalty. When his health began to fail, he moved to Russellville, Arkansas.
Kenneth Woody was a wonderful man who loved the Lord and His Word, his family, friends, and souls with all his heart. He was an excellent guitar player, singer, and song writer. He was loved by all who knew him and will be greatly missed.
Visitation will be held at Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter, Missouri on Saturday, September 11, 2021, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m.
Funeral services will then be conducted in the Mathis Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, September 11, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. with Rev. Keith Parris and Rev. Gary Andrews officiating. Interment will follow in the Chalk Bluff Cemetery.
Mathis Funeral Home in Dexter is in charge of arrangements.
