James Austin Woody: Obituary

Dr. James Austin Woody, age 85 of Morganton, passed away Saturday, June 2, 2018, at his home. Dr. Woody was born April 15, 1933, in Padena, GA to the late Narvie Allen Woody and the late Ommie Hunnicutt Woody. Jimmy was a young boy who left the Georgia farm to join the United States Army when he was thirteen years old. At Fort Lewis, Washington, he underwent the rigors of infantry basic training, where he learned discipline and obedience. That same soldier went on to serve honorably in the Japanese occupation and later in the Korean War. After serving four years and two months, underage in the Army, he was honorably discharged at eighteen years of age-just in time to register for the draft. He joined the US Air Force and remained there until his retirement in 1972. He went on to earn a doctorate in ministry from Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY and authored two books Underage In The Army and The Short Life Of Frank Allen Woody. He retired from full-time pastoral work in 1994 after serving churches in KY, TN, MS, and GA. At his time of death, his church membership was at Wilscot Baptist Church. Jimmy was a person that enjoyed working with his hands, a gentleman farmer, woodworker and leather crafts.

Survivors include: his wife of 67 years, Mary Jo Daves Woody, children, Debra Dobson, James Austin (Jimmy) Woody, Jr., Kathryn Penland, Frank (Kay) Woody, and John (Goldie) Woody, grandchildren, Mary Tatum, Jonathan Dobson, Jeff Woody, Joe Woody, Matt Woody, Donna Garris, Daniel Woody, Jamie Gerber, David Woody, Trevor Woody, and Sydney Woody, 20 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services: Monday, June 4, 2018, at 2:00 pm from the chapel of the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home with the Rev. Eric Davenport officiating. Interment will follow in Chastain Memorial Park with full military honors by the North Georgia Honor Guard.

The family will receive friends at the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, Monday, June 4, 2018, 12:00 noon till 2:00 pm.

The Henry-Cochran Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Woody family. Please share your condolences and fond memories with the family on our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.