Mr. N. Rees Woody, Sr

N. Rees Woody, Sr.
(December 23, 1925 - September 1, 2013)
N. Rees Woody, Sr. died on September 1, 2013 of complications from lung cancer and emphysema.

Rees was a native of Henry County, VA. The son of Claude Lee Woody, Sr and Elizabeth Watkins Woody, he grew up in Bassett with his three brothers: the late C.L. Woody, Jr., Bill N. Woody of Staunton, and the late Charles David Woody.

After graduating from Bassett High School, he was drafted as a minor-league baseball prospect. He chose instead to serve his country during World War II. Though his eyesight kept him out of the major branches of service, he signed up for the Merchant Marines and served in the Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern War Zones. He was part of the invasion of Normandy and survived the loss of three ships.

When he returned from the War, he earned his Associates Degree from Bluefield College and his Bachelors Degree from the University of Tennessee. He was a life-long Tennessee Vols fan who made many trips to Knoxville to support them. In his later years, he served as a member of the Board of Trustees of Bluefield College and endowed a scholarship there for students from Patrick and Henry Counties.

He was married to the late LaVergne Tuck Woody in 1949, and was able to celebrate 60 years of marriage with her. They both taught in the Patrick County Schools before they moved to Bassett and he joined his father and brother, C.L., in their W&B Chevrolet dealership. He was an executive in the automobile business for over 40 years.

Rees was an avid horseman who showed road ponies throughout the Southeast. He served as President of the American Saddlebred Horse Association of Virginia (ASHAV) and as the horse show chairman of the ASHAV show during the early years of its move to the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. Both he and LaVergne were inducted into the ASHAV Hall of Fame in 2009.

Rees and LaVergne bought a farm in Meadows of Dan, VA in 1972, and moved there permanently in 2002. He loved the mountain and the people in the area, and was pleased to become a member of the nearby Mayberry Presbyterian Church.

Rees is survived by his daughter, Claudia Brind-Woody and daughter-in-law Tracie Brind-Woody; his son, Norris R. Woody and daughter-in-law, Patricia Malone Woody; grandsons, Trey Woody and Patrick Rees; granddaughter, Melissa MacGregor, her husband Reed and three great grandchildren. He is also survived by the extended family that he and LaVergne created out of love and inclusion: Lynn Spruill, Zoe Griffith, Sandy Ball, Carolyn Vaughan, Jimmy Kindle, Brenda Redd, Steve Malik, Mona Pittenger, Lydia Quarles, Jim Mozingo, Pauline Moore and Dorothy Wells.

In addition to his many friends and family members, Rees leaves behind a multitude of friends from the horseshow world, his coffee groups in Bassett and Meadows of Dan, and many kind neighbors who have shown up for him over the past several years.

Arrangements are being handled by Moody Funeral Home, Stuart, VA. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on September 4th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The funeral will be at Meadows of Dan Baptist Church, in Meadows of Dan, VA on September 5th at 11:00 AM with burial following immediately in the church cemetery. Everyone is invited to lunch at the family home in Meadows of Dan following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to support the building of a much-needed community outreach center at Mayberry Presbyterian Church. Donations may be sent to: The Building Fund, Mayberry Presbyterian Church, Mayberry Church Road, Meadows of Dan, VA, 24120.

Online condolences may be sent to www.moodyfuneralservices.com

Arrangements are being handled by Moody Funeral Home, Stuart, VA. There will be a visitation at the funeral home on September 4th from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The funeral will be at Meadows of Dan Baptist Church, in Meadows of Dan, VA on September 5th at 11:00 AM with burial following immediately in the church cemetery. Everyone is invited to lunch at the family home in Meadows of Dan following the graveside service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to support the building of a much-needed community outreach center at Mayberry Presbyterian Church. Donations may be sent to: The Building Fund, Mayberry Presbyterian Church, Mayberry Church Road, Meadows of Dan, VA, 24120.

Online condolences may be sent to www.moodyfuneralservices.com