Burley Austin Woods, 89, a resident of the Poe Run community for the past 82 years, passed away at 4:14 a.m. Thursday, July 18, 2002, at his residence. He had been in failing health since 1999.
Born Nov. 20, 1912, at Whitmer, he was the son of the late James and Florence Jeanette Hedrick Bennett Woods.
On June 7, 1951, he was united in marriage to the former Rev. Rachel Amanda Fansler, who preceded him in death on June 20, 1999.
Mr. Woods is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Roscoe (Mary K.) Thompson and the Rev. Conley (Dianna F.) Ogden, both of the Poe Run community; three sons, Ricky Fansler and wife, Deanna, Burley A. Woods II and wife, Donna, and George Woods, all of the Poe Run community.
Also surviving are 31 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, 10 great-great-grandchildren, nine stepgrandchildren, several stepgreat-grandchildren, one stepgreat-great-grandson, and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Woods was the last surviving member of his immediate family and was preceded in death by two brothers, James A. and Elmer G. Woods; two half brothers, Truman and Omer Bennett; one grandson, Randall Lynn Thompson; and three great-grandchildren.
Burley was a coal miner and retired from the Allegheny Lumber Co. with several years of service. During his remaining years he worked on his own land as a farmer. He attended the Abundant Life Christian Center in Beverly.
He was a veteran and served during World War II in the U.S. Army. He was awarded the Asiatic-pacific Theatre Ribbon, three Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal.
Friends will be received after 7 p.m. today at the Abundant Life Christian Center where funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Rev. Curlie Ray Jr., the Rev. A.H. Belt and the Rev. Brice Utt will officiate. Interment will follow in the American Legion Little Arlington Cemetery at Cravensdale. The Tygart Valley Post No. 3647 Veterans of Foreign Wars and the H.W. Daniels Post No. 29 American Legion will conduct full military services at the gravesite.
