Charles Raymond Woods 1922-1981

Charles Raymond Woods was born in Phelps County, Missouri, on May 21, 1922, the son of Charles and Octavia Blackwell Woods and passed away in the University of Missouri Medical Center in Columbia, Missouri on Tuesday, April 28, 1981.  He had attained the age of 68 years.

Raymond was united in marriage to Faye Robertson in August, 1935 and unto this union 2 sons and 2 daughters were born.

He is survived by his wife Faye, of the home, 2 sons, Billy of Cahokia, Illinois and Dale of the home, 2 daughters, Loretta Rose of Dixon and Dorothy Kohler of Imperial, Missouri, 2 brothers, George of Jefferson City and Lewis of Arcadia, Missouri, 1 sister, Lola Wilson of Mantica, California, 12 grandchildren, 3 step-grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and 2 step-great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by 1 sister Mable Carter, 1 grandson Billy Joe Woods and 1 son-in-law Carlis Humphrey.

 When he was first married he worked for the WPA building roads, he then worked at Ft. Leonard Wood as a meat cutter for the hospital.  He went to St. Louis where he worked at the Fisher Body Plant and the Swift Meat Packing Company.  Then he moved back to Dixon and went back to work at Fort Leonard Wood, retiring after a total of 17 years with the Civil Service.  After retiring, he worked in Dixon for the Dixon MFA Coop, Dixon R-1 School and the last 11 years part-time for the Gilbert Funeral Home.  In his early years he had a radio program in Rolla where he was known as “Cowboy Ray” where he played his guitar and sang.  On Sunday afternoons he had a program with the late Rev. and Mrs. Henry Prewett, and for awhile had a program in Lebanon.

Raymond was a member of the Kenner Church of God, Arlington Masonic Lodge #346 where he was Past Master and was serving his second term as Dixon City Councilman.  He was a loving husband, father and grandfather and will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Funeral services were held in the Gilbert Chapel on Friday, May 1, at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Wilson Davis officiating.  Burial was in the Kenner Cemetery under the direction of the Gilbert Funeral Home of Dixon.  Serving as pallbearers were Junior Miller, Jim Long, Arnold Bassett, Richard Cockriel, Marvin Rose and Melvin (Bud) Kohler.  Masonic Services were given on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. in the funeral home.