Virginia Rose "Vee" Woods

1951 - 2021

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, auntie and dear friend Virginia "Vee" Rose Woods went to be with the Lord in the early morning of Dec. 15, 2021, with her son Dewayne by her side. Vee was born on Dec. 9, 1951, in Fairbanks and raised in Manley Hot Springs and Tanana. She was the second oldest daughter of the late Judy (Starr) and Walter Woods, Sr. Growing up, she worked very hard helping to cook and take care of her siblings while living a rich subsistence life style enjoying the abundance from the land and rivers.
After graduating 8th grade in Manley Hot Springs Elementary school, she attended high school in Wrangell and Sitka at the boarding schools, and graduated from Tanana High School in 1971. While at Mt. Edgecumbe boarding school in Sitka, she helped start a Native dance group which was an important way for students to stay strong and connected to their culture. She inspired other students to participate as well. While there, she made lifelong friends from all over Alaska who cherish their memories with her.
Vee was unconditionally generous and kind to all. Everyone felt loved and accepted around Auntie Vee. She kept it real, and her humor, laughter and fun was a gift to us all. She had an extra special relationship with her nieces and nephews who she taught many things about living off the land, cooking over a campfire and making sweet campfire tea of which they all loved and they felt so special having tea time with her. Her home was always open to everyone, and she enjoyed taking care of young people who needed extra support.
Vee enjoyed cooking for her loved ones-she could make a gourmet dish out of the simplest ingredients-going on long walks, gardening, traveling-she definitely was a rolling stone-having a good time and spending time outdoors with her family and friend, picking berries, picnicking, fishing and hunting.
She was devoted to her family and friends, especially her children and grandchildren who she loved and cherished.
Vee was preceded in death by her beloved son Peter Lee James, brother Walter "Mickey" Woods, and parents Walter and Judy (Starr) Woods of Rampart and Tanana. She is also preceded in death by her nephews Geoffrey Bredeman and Travis George Woods, sister-in-law Brenda Woods, and brother-in-laws Steve Bredeman, Albert Kookesh, Floyd Kookesh, Barry Shockley and David James.
Vee leaves behind to cherish her memories her children George Woods, Kyle James (Terri), Dwayne James, Jr., and Ashley Woods James and grandchildren Jordan, Quinn, Noah, Louey, Ciara, Carmen, and Emmett. Sisters Helen Kravitz, Sally Kookesh, Janet Woods, Dorothy Shockley, Lena Woods, Elizabeth Woods, and Gladys Woods; Brothers John Woods, Ray Woods and Jerry Woods, and a huge extended family of cousins, nieces and nephews and friends across Alaska. Vee was dearly loved and will be greatly missed.
Her funeral service and burial was held in Manley Hot Springs on Dec. 22, 2021.