Bobby was born on November 19, 1946 in Richmond, Virginia. As a small child, his parents moved the family to Nashville, Tennessee where he lived until he was in middle school. Then the family moved to Cary, North Carolina. At Cary High School, Bobby was a star athlete who shattered several conference records. He placed 2nd in the state in shot put and 5th in discus. His senior year, by unanimous All-Conference selection, he was chosen to play football in the State All-Star Boys Home Bowl Game. At age 19, he married his high school sweetheart and first wife Legare Mulholland Woods. Together they had and raised three children. After high school, Bobby was accepted into Duke University on a football scholarship but withdrew upon injury. Instead he attended Memphis State University on a track scholarship. After college, he was drafted to play football by a semi-professional team under the Dallas Cowboys. Again, a career ending injury brought him back to Cary. When his father passed away, Bobby took over the family business as a light manufacturing representative and grew the company to great success. When he was 38 years old, he met and married his second wife, Teresa Sanderford Woods. Together they had and raised four girls.
Bobby could not have been more proud of the characters and accomplishments of his seven children. His greatest joy was spending time with each of them - usually talking about, training for, or watching sports. He attended every track meet they ran, every field event they threw, and every football and basketball game they played. He taught each of them strength and determination on and off the field and to approach life with a dry sense of humor.
Robert is preceded in death by his father, Fred Woods, his mother, Lilian Armstrong Woods and his older sister, Marilyn Woods Caen. He is survived by his younger sister, Stephanie Anne Woods, his daughters, Jennifer Finn (Joe), Tamara Bass (Robert), Stephanie Woods, Kelly Bryan (Robert), Lesley Woods and Lauren Woods, his only and favorite son, Bradley Woods, and three grandchildren, Robbie Bass, Eric Bass and Ansley Bryan.
The family would like to thank the WakeMed Cary ER and ICU nurses and the staff at Access Healthcare in Apex for the care they provided.
A memorial service will be held 4:00 PM Monday, June 11, 2018 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary. The family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bobby's name to your favorite charity.
