Rita Lee Woods' Obituary
Decatur-Rita L. Woods, 84, of Decatur, passed away Monday, September 1, 2014 at Imboden Creek Living Center.
A funeral service to celebrate Rita’s life will be at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014 at Graceland Funeral Home, with Rev. Dwight Bradshaw officiating. Visitation will be from 12:00 to 1:00 PM Sunday, with burial in Graceland Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Central Christian Church and/or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Rita was born January 5, 1930 in Versailles, IL, the daughter of Charles Randolph and Margie Jane (Vandeventer) Martin, both deceased. She married Galen Snyder Woods on April 7, 1951 in Versailles, IL. He preceded her in death on September 25, 2008. Rita was a devoted wife, wonderful mother and outstanding homemaker. Professionally, she worked many years as a highly-respected business/office manager for a local ear, nose and throat practice. In her spare time, Rita was also “team mom” to numerous baseball teams and hundreds of players supporting Galen in his decades of supporting amateur baseball in all age groups in Decatur.
Rita was a devout Christian and a member of Central Christian Church. In retirement, Rita enjoyed church, reading, yard work, walking and living the good life with her best friend, Galen.
She leaves behind daughter Susan Woods of Decatur, Illinois; sons Michael (Ellen) Woods of Bloomington, Illinois; Eric (Melinda) Woods of Mission Viejo, California; and Charley (Kim) Woods of Springfield, Illinois; brother Charles Dwayne (Patsy) Martin of Winchester and sister Ruth Anne (Jim) Manes of Springfield; fourteen grandchildren: Brea, Annelise and Carson Cunningham (father Jerry Cunningham); Joe (Melissa) Woods, Corinne (John Mark) Woelfel, Carlye (Cavin) Miller; and Leyna, Nathaniel, Rebekah, Luke, Sara, Michael, Kourtni and Connor Woods; as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.
The family would like to give a special thanks to all of the nurses and staff at Imboden Creek Living Center for all of their loving care.
The family of Rita L. Woods is being served by Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL 62526. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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