H. Beatrice Woods

Bea was born on September 19, 1933, in St. Louis, MO to Minnie B. and Fletcher N. Harris. Her mother died six weeks after giving birth, and she was raised by her beloved aunt, Idell Porter with cousins who became her loving sisters and brothers. She is preceded in death by her siblings Mary Purnell, Frances Alexander, Charles Porter, and Arthur Porter.

Her family lived in the historic The Ville area of St. Louis throughout her childhood, and she graduated from Sumner High School. While she was attending Stowe Teachers College, she met and subsequently married her husband of 69 years, Franklin D. Woods.

As the wife of a career meteorologist with the National Weather Service, Bea moved her growing family from St. Louis, MO, Battle Creek, MI, Wichita, KS, and eventually settled in Kansas City, MO in 1966. In 1973, Bea and Frank’s family moved from their midtown home and church community at St. Therese of the Little Flower to South Kansas City, where they resided for more than 50 years.

Bea and Frank were active parishioners of the St. Catherine of Sienna Catholic Church for 50 years where she often served as a scripture reader, prepared event meals, participated in pastoral programs, volunteered for her children’s St. Catherine’s/Our Lady of Peace school activities, and joined an award-winning quilting group. She became a member of St. Thomas More Parish when St. Catherine’s closed in 2023.

Bea enjoyed cooking and baking, sewing and quilting, crafting, and gardening. She adored watching crime and medical series, game shows, and all things BritBox. She loved her trips to San Francisco, Cape Cod, Jamaica, Washington D.C.-Baltimore, Niagara Falls and more. She did the KC Star daily crossword puzzle, was an avid reader, and was a rabid soccer and basketball fan. Her most important priorities were always faith and family.

In the last year of her life, Bea became a resident of The Madison Senior Living community where she made many new friends, enjoyed Bingo twice weekly, and Happy Hour Fridays.

Bea was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, wife and aunt. She was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Woods, parents Minnie B. and Fletcher and Idell, her sons Roderick and Wayne, her son-in-law Douglas, and her closest friends, Alice Garlington, Marian Tyson, and Doris Campbell.

She is survived by daughters Tracey Woods, Cynthia Woods-Stewart (Doug), Gail Woods-Waller (Aaron), Peggy Woods-Clark (Lawrence), Kimberly Woods-Hopwood (Junior): three granddaughters (Madison, Samantha and Kiara) and one grandson (Quinn); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

Visitation (9:30 a.m.), Rosary (10:30 a.m.) and funeral Mass (11:00 a.m.) will be held at St. Thomas More Church, 11822 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131 on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to City Union Mission of Kansas City or Special Olympics. The family extends their deep appreciation to Home Instead and Amedisys Hospice during her recent illness.