Onzie Gene Woods

Onzie G. Woods, 67, departed this Earth for his Heavenly home on November 1st at 10:15 p.m. at Holston Valley Hospital after a three-year courageous battle with lung cancer that was a result of Agent Orange. Onzie was born January 13, 1947 to his parents, Ruby Skelton and J.T. Woods, both deceased. He was a 1965 graduate of Church Hill High School where he lettered in basketball and baseball. Before his retirement in 1998, he was employed as a Senior Lab Technician in the Research Department of Eastman Chemical Company. He later returned to Eastman as an LSE, where he worked until his diagnosis. Onzie was an avid golfer, loved UT football and hanging out with his pals at Rush Street. He was a volunteer for the Fun Fest Band Concessions where he could be seen driving the tractor that pulled the ice wagon in the taste of Tri-Cities. He was a member of Colonial Heights United Methodist Church. Onzie was a decorated Vietnam War veteran. He was a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 979. He served on the Board of Directors as Recruitment Chairman. During the Christmas season, he joined fellow VVA members to ring the Salvation Army bell at Walmart. Onzie was a member of the Church Hill VFW and the American Legion Post #265. Onzie leaves behind his wife of 24 years, Bernice Guinn Woods; daughter, Stacey Woods of Auburn, AL, and Nikki Woods McGlamery and her husband, Bob of Grayson, GA; grandsons, Matt McGlamery of Tuscaloosa, AL and Ben McGlamery of Athens, GA; sisters, Linda Woods VanZant and her husband, Donnie of Gate City, VA, and Marsha Woods of Charlotte, NC; brothers, Tommy Woods of Kingsport, and Rex Mallory of Bristol, VA; and several nieces and nephews. Friends are encouraged to pay their respects at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church on Lebanon Rd. in Kingsport on Thursday evening, November 6, 2014 between the hours of 5:00-7:00 p.m. A Memorial Service to celebrate his life will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Colonial Heights United Methodist Church. Onzie was a very laid-back person who believed in casual, comfortable clothing. Therefore, casual dress is encouraged. Military Graveside Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, November 7, 2014 at Mountain Home National Cemetery in Johnson City, TN. Donations toward a memorial to honor the life of Onzie Woods can be donated toward the sponsorship of the Band organ to be placed on the Kingsport Carousel. Contributions should be sent to the Onzie Woods Memorial, Engage Kingsport, 1200 E. Center St., Kingsport, TN 37660. East Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park has the honor of serving the family of Onzie Woods. Online condolences may be sent to the family www.eastlawnkingsport.com