John Edward Woods

John Edward Woods was born to the late Annie and Paul Alex Woods Sr. on April 19, 1936, in Orient, Pennsylvania. John was the youngest of sixteen children. He accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at East Mt. Zion Baptist Church. He received his education in Republic, Pennsylvania and Cleveland, Ohio. He joined the United States Army and proudly served our country from October 24, 1955, to November 13, 1957, where he received an honorable discharge. He served in the Korean Conflict for the 82nd Airborne and served in the Infantry. After being discharged from the service, he moved back to Cleveland, Ohio. He worked for Retail Department Stores in Downtown Cleveland. He also worked at the Apex Smelting Company in Cleveland, Ohio. John later worked at The Ohio Rubber Company in Willoughby, Ohio. John met the love of his life Alice Jean Yarbrough in Cleveland, Ohio. They dated for several years and were united in Holy Matrimony by Reverend Roland Crowder on August 22, 1964. They have one daughter Jeanette Woods Matthews, two granddaughters Chantelle and Robyn, one great-grandson Rinoldo III. John was a lifelong fan of The Cleveland Browns and loved to play organized softball, bowling and swimming. He volunteered to serve in the Lifeline Ministry and served on Usher Board No. 2. He enjoyed taking his daughter to the amusement parks (Euclid Beach, Geauga Lake, and Cedar Point). He also enjoyed riding the Roller Coaster, the Demon Drop, and the Rotor. He was a very kind and loving person. John was always willing to help someone. He was a wonderful man, husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, son-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle and friend. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. He took pride in talking about serving our country. John departed this life on March 31, 2019, with family by his side. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife, Alice Jean Woods; daughter, Jeanette Matthews; granddaughters, Chantelle Matthews, Robyn Matthews; great-grandson, Rinoldo Allen III; one sister, Alice Grooms; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law; Rosetta Woods, Gerline Davis (Nathan), Elnora Jones (Cleophis), Linda Harris (Earnell), Liz Blackburn, Charles Yarbrough, Louis Poindexter, Robert Poindexter (Gloria) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Proceeding him in death are his sisters Alfonso, Lottie, Lillie, Hattie, Carrie, Dorothy and brothers Paul Jr., Charles Sr., Nathan, and Willie. John will truly be missed by all!