Darrell Lee Woods

Darrell Lee Woods ("Sonny" to his family, "Peaches" to coworkers and in the USSSA, and "Coach" to several youth), passed away on September 25, 2023. Darrell was born at home in Goody, Kentucky on March 29, 1947. Darrell is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Jean Wilson Woods; parents, Harold and Martha (Johnson) Woods; sisters, Mary Williamson and Judy Hall; brother, Ralph Allen; brother-in-law, Bill May, who he considered his brother; his in-laws, Clyde and Mabel Wilson; sister-in-law, Myrtle (Wilson) Catron; and various nieces and nephews.

He is survived by his beloved granddaughter, Rachel Woods; son, Eric Woods; sister, Bonnie May; brother, Tommy Woods and wife Janie Woods; sister-in-law, Paula (Wilson) Smith; and multiple nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Belfry High School, Class of 1965, Darrel relocated to Virginia where he took a job at Hercules in Hopewell. Shortly after, he served for two years in the US Army where he rose to rank of E5 - Sergeant in Company "A" 3rd Battalion attached to the 4th Armored Infantry Division. After returning to Virginia and Hercules, he drove his 1970 Roadrunner to Ohio and asked his friend since grade school, Barbara Wilson for her hand in marriage. They wed on March 28, 1970 and were still together at the time of her death. Barbara often referred to him as her "knight in a purple roadrunner".

In addition to his career as a millwright for Hercules, Woods spent several years playing softball and umpiring in the USSSA. For more than 25 years, Woods volunteered in youth sports, coaching, and officiating multiple sports in Prince George, Virginia. His football teams won several championships and celebrated several undefeated seasons. His favorite sport to coach was basketball, in which his teams also won several championships and multiple invitational tournaments at Fort Lee. He also ran the scoreboard for PG Recreation League football for several years.

Upon retirement from Hercules and youth sports, he mainly focused on being a full-time "Poppie" to his granddaughter, but continued to dabble in multiple work pursuits, including real estate, but eventually found his dream retirement job working sports security. His favorite assignments were working the end zone at Virginia Tech home games and the driver's entrance at Martinsville Speedway.

A Celebration of Life gathering will be held at River's Edge Bible Church's fellowship hall Saturday March 30, 2024, directly after an 11:30 AM graveside service at Merchant's Hope Memorial Gardens. Any and all are welcomed to either or both events.

Darrell and Barbara will be rejoined in rest one day after what would have been their 54th wedding anniversary on March 29, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to support Prince George Youth Sports. Make checks payable to Prince George Parks and Recreations Foundation. Please specify "Foundation" and write "In memory of Darrell Woods" in the memo. Checks can be mailed to: PG Parks and Rec, P.O. Box 68, Prince George, VA 23875.