Mrs. Ouida Jean Murphy Woods

Mrs. Ouida Jean Woods passed peacefully due to complications from Parkinson’s, in her residence at Willow Creek Retirement Center in Byram, MS, on November 13, 2016. She was 86 years old. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2016 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Lakewood Funeral Home. Graveside service will be held at 11:00 am at Lakewood Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations First Baptist Church of Byram Building Fund. She is survived by two sisters, Betty Speake (John) of Terry, Mary Sharp of Brandon, MS; one son, Spud and wife, Linda Woods of Jonesboro, LA; daughter in law, Diane Woods of Byram, MS; four grandchildren, Wendie Woods of Starkville, MS; Lonnie Edward Woods (Rachelle) of Puckett; Marley Nelson (Josh) of Raymond; Brandi Williams (Travis) of Raymond and four great-grandsons, William & Taylor Woods, Christopher Williams and Hayden Nelson. As well as a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by husband, William Therrell Woods of Jackson; daughter, Ouida Therrell Jones of Brandon; and son, Lonnie Edward Woods of Byram. Jean, or Mother, was born on December 18, 1929 in Pocahontas, MS very close to where Lula Baptist Church now stands on HWY 22. The Pocahontas, Clinton, Brownsville, Tinnin, and Flora areas were all very big parts of her childhood and her favorite places to revisit later in life. She and her family later moved to the Bailey Avenue area of Jackson and were living there when she graduated Central High School in 1947. She married William Therrell (Bill) Woods soon after graduation and within eight years they had grown into a family with three children. Mother was a devout christian from a very early age and lived her daily life as guided by her favorite scripture Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thy own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths”. Her sisters remember pestering her as being too prim and proper even for the 40’s; but they also recall her being a daunting teaser and tormentor-- as older sisters are supposed to be. A favorite memory for all three sisters was going to see Steel Magnolias, and collectively each with their daughters, laughing and crying at the same time throughout the movie. An after movie visit to get ice cream gave them the opportunity to recall their sisterhood with their daughters. It was a special day that they recalled whenever they were together. Mother worked in the Bailey Avenue area drugstores all the while attending Central High School. She later worked at various title companies in the Jackson area before and after her career with and retirement from the Hinds County Chancery Clerks office. Due to her work ethic and reputation for being easy to work with but determined to do a good job, she was frequently sought as a resource by persons doing complicated land title research. Even after her first retirement she worked multiple part time title research jobs until her complete retirement in 1995. She inherited a terrific work ethic from her parents and this willingness to work extended to both inside and outside our home. I remember her working my whole at home life, but I also remember all three of us children going to school every day with clean clothes and a home cooked breakfast if we so chose. Mother was firm but loving and taught us that there is honor in work and rest that is earned, things that are worth having are better enjoyed when worked for, an appreciation of family, and that some of God’s greatest gifts are life’s simple things. She was very religious but had a fun-loving, lighter side and used both to balance her roles as peacemaker, judge and jury. I do believe she may have started the practice of using scripture, a switch, or both together to get her desired results. It is a stretch to say we were middle class but mother made do with what we had and we learned there was no shame in iron-on patches on blue jeans or a hand sewn mend on a shirt as long as they’re clean, and they were. Needless to say we were regulars at Sunday school and church. Ma’am and Sir, Please and Thank You were staples in our vocabulary with about a zero tolerance when forgotten. Mother loved family, hosting family events and reunions at our home, and took great pleasure in putting these occasions together. She never sought attention for herself but was quick to take on the problems and issues of anyone else. She was tender hearted, soft spoken, and loved to tease others but she was embarrassed and uncomfortable with praise towards her. Mother put all she had into getting us ready to start life with a Christian upbringing and a strong work ethic. We learned by example that whatever task you take on, you made a commitment to show up on time, ready to play, and you don’t quit until its done. Whatever grit I have comes directly from her. She had suffered from Parkinson’s for 23 years and during this she endured the loss of her daughter, Ouida, and youngest son Lonnie. Through all this she has never complained or questioned “Why me?” This eternal and wholesome rest that she entered on November 13, 2016, like all her others, was truly earned. “Well done thy good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”. Matthew 25:21. Throughout my life I’ve had the good fortune to know many very fine men and women. From my view no one will ever stand any taller than my Mother. She does have one equal, and this person was God’s gift to me at the marriage alter over 44 years ago. Now, both of them would be embarrassed to read this and each would pretend to be mad at me for publicly stating it, but that’s the truth.” Spud Woods

Our family wishes to express our sincere thanks to the staff and care givers at Willow Creek Retirement for their long term care, support and close personal attention to mother over these past seven years.