Kenneth Charles Woods

Kenneth Charles Woods passed away on August 11, 2023 at the age of 87. He was born to Oral Franklin Woods, Sr. and Ethel Bernice (Fipps Woods) Mashburn in La Junta, Colorado on December 26, 1935. His birthdate being close to Christmas was a sore point for the remainder of his life.

While growing up, Ken’s parents moved the family to different locations including towns in Wyoming, Colorado, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Missouri because his father was a building contractor who had to be near his jobs.

Ken chose education as a profession after a rocky start as a student. He remembered being labeled “retarded” by a teacher and being made fun of by his classmates. He recounted being a bully during elementary school because although he couldn’t beat the other students in the classroom, he could beat them up on the playground. He chose to enlist in the U.S. Army after high school to take advantage of the G.I. Bill for college so that he could become a minister. During his first semester in college he struggled severely, but received intensive help from multiple caring individuals. Those people inspired him to become a professional educator and help other students like himself. He pastored several small churches and eventually became an elementary school counselor. He was proud that in spite of his elementary record he was able to obtain his bachelor’s degrees in ministry and education along with a master’s degree and a specialist’s degree in school counseling. After his retirement he continued to work in education developing creative materials to help children learn mathematics. He was also a farmer at heart, and took pride in what he grew.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Floyd Ellis Woods, his sister Nina Jean Woods Taylor, and an infant son Joe Franklin Woods.

He leaves behind his wife, Lorenza Martinez Woods; two brothers, Franklin Woods and wife Merle, and Donnie Woods and wife Regina; two children with former wife, Gail Holman: a daughter, Yolanda Overby and husband Daniel and a son, John Woods and wife Sonja; and 9 grandchildren: Mahala Coker and husband Tyler, Hannah Balty and husband Ty, Sarah Overby, Joel Woods, Kathryn Woods, Alaina Woods, Ben Woods, Joshua Woods, and Elizabeth Woods.

Funeral services will be held at Funeraria Del Angel Evergreen East at 12400 Montana Avenue in El Paso, TX on Thursday, August 17, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. with a Funeral Rosary service at 11:30 a.m. Interment and Military Honors will be held at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery at 1:00 p.m.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.evergreenfheast.com for the Woods family.