Ann Woods

Ann Daniel Woods, 89, passed away Thursday, July 28, 2022, in Fort Smith. She was born May 4, 1933, in Tahlequah, OK, to Leon Ross Daniel and Lillian (Nichols) Daniel. On her father’s side, she hailed from a line of Cherokee community servants and leaders beginning with John Ross, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1828-1866. Her mother was a country school teacher and community volunteer known for her angel food cakes.

Ann met the love of her life in eighth grade band in Tahlequah and secretly let him win First Chair in the trumpet so they could sit together. She married Leon Perry Woods in 1954. After graduating with a business degree from Northeastern State University in 1953, she worked for Standard Oil Company in Oklahoma City while Leon completed medical school at the University of Oklahoma.

After living in San Francisco, Claremore, OK; Denver, Nashville and Durham, NC, and having three children, Ann and Leon moved to Fort Smith in 1966, with a fourth child added in 1969. While “L.P.” worked as a thoracic/cardiovascular surgeon, Ann was a homemaker. With one of her long-time skills being fast typing, Ann began a career as a court reporter in 1976, working for local attorneys for many years. In Leon’s retirement, he served as her assistant, helping Ann deliver error-free deposition transcripts on time every time.

Ann was a member of the First United Methodist Church and treasured her friends in the Discussion Sunday School Class. She served on the Alter Guild and other committees, and was a member of the United Methodist Women, Circle Naomi. She joined PEO in 1956 and became a member of Chapter J in Fort Smith in 1966, for a total of 66 years. She served as recording secretary and yearbook chairman for many years.

Ann’s hobbies were gardening and cooking. She loved finding and making new cookie recipes that thrilled her Sunday School class, friends, family, and many other groups and earning her the nickname “Cookie Queen”. Ann’s hospitality, humor, and dedication to dignity will be remembered.

Ann was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Leon P. Woods; her brother, Leon Ross Daniel, Jr., and her parents. She leaves behind a son, Jim P. Woods, and three daughters, Nancy Woods Long Moon, Julie Woods Moncrief, and Eve Woods McDonald (Jud); seven grandchildren (Melia Woods Digby, Lindsay Woods Jeffcoat, Sean Woods, Lily Moncrief Mauroner, Ellen Moncrief Blet, and Miles and Owen McDonald; and seven great-grandchildren (Lucas, Erik, Della, John Ross, River Ann, Woods, and Desmond). She also leaves behind her treasured church and community friends, neighbors, and her longtime hairdresser and friend, Laura Gregory.

A celebration of life will be held Wednesday, August 3 at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, with a reception following in the narthex. A graveside service will follow on Thursday, August 4, at 10 a.m. at the Tahlequah Cemetery under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901; the Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72903; or the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1600 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72901.