Bobby R. Woody

Bobby Ray Woody, 71, of Rocky Gap died Saturday, Jan. 10, 2009. Funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 2 p.m. at the Bluefield Church of God with the Revs. Danny Scott, Phil Akers and Paul Looney officiating. Interment was in Woodlawn Memorial Park in Bluewell, W.Va., with the West Virginia Honor Guard and Bluefield VFW Post 9696 conducting graveside military rites. A Masonic memorial service was held Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 7:30 p.m. by the Elbert Munsey Lodge 298 AF & AM which also conducted Masonic graveside rites. He was a devoted Christian whose final wish was for deliverance home. He was a member of the Church of God on Cumberland Road in Bluefield, W.Va. He served his country as an MP in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He was a member of the Tazewell County VFW. He was a member of the Veterans Memorial Park Committee of Bland County. He was retired from JW&L Enterprises where he was a supervisor. He was a founding member of the Bland County Rescue Squad and served as captain for five years. He was president of the Local Union 1626 District 29 UMWA for 13 years. He was president of the Lions Club for 10 years and was a member of the Moose Lodge for 20 years. He owned his own construction company, East River Construction, where he operated as both a speculative and operative mason. His rock work was renowned for its quality and craftsmanship. He was a member of the Elbert Muncy Masonic Lodge 298 in Rocky Gap. He also assisted his wife with her many business ventures including Mary's Drive In atop East River Mountain in the 1970s and later Woody's convenience store in Rocky Gap. Together they worked side-by-side for 37 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charley and Vinnie Dot Woody of Rocky Gap; and a brother, Olden Brown "O.B." Woody. Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 47 years, Mary E. Woody of Rocky Gap; daughter and son-in-law, Dreama and Kerry Gammon of Rocky Gap; the pride and joy of his world, his grandchildren, Eric Thompson and fiancée, Amanda Staples, and Shala Gammon; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Raymond L. and Virginia Woody of Rocky Gap, Sherman Woody of Rich Creek, Watha F. and Brenda Woody of Rocky Gap; a sister, Phyllis Looney and Homer Mullins of Rocky Gap; a sister-in-law, Euva L. Woody; several nieces and nephews; and his constant terrier companion and protector, Heidi. Condolences may be sent to P.O. Box 111, Rocky Gap, VA 24366. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, W.Va., was in charge of the arrangements.