Donald Ralph Woods

On the morning of December 17, 2025, Donald Ralph Woods, 89, left this life and instantly was with Jesus in Heaven.

Don was born in Burke County on October 16, 1936 to the late William Orville Woods and Lela Mae Dyer Woods. He attended Chesterfield Elementary School and graduated from Morganton High School. After a short stent at Drexel Furniture, he worked the rest of his career, over 50 years, at Fairfield Chair Company in Lenoir.

A few years after graduating High School Don married his grade school sweetheart Marie Keller and soon had a family of two sons.

Don lived a life of service to others and the community. He spent over 9 years in the North Carolina National Guard and was involved as a leader in Boy Scouts for a short while. He was a lifetime member of Bethel Baptist Church in the Chesterfield community, where he was the leader of the Royal Ambassadors, a Sunday School and Training Union teacher, Sunday School Director, Deacon, Bus Driver for many years, and friend to all Pastors that he served with. Don was also a Charter Member of the Chesterfield Volunteer Fire Department, which is now Chesterfield Fire and Rescue, and after many years of serving as a Firefighter, Board Member and Chairman of the Board he retired, but still enjoyed going to the annual Christmas Dinners.

As stated, Don left this earth and was welcomed into the arms of Jesus, but not because of all the many years he served his community and family as good as that was. You see one day many years ago Don admitted that he was a sinner without hope and asked Jesus to forgive him and become Lord of his life and accepted Jesus’ free gift of eternal life in heaven.

In addition to his parents Don was preceded in death by wife Marie Woods, brothers Ed Woods and Bill Woods, sisters Freda Woods, Francis Woods Kincaid and Faye Woods Ollis.

He is survived by sons Greg Woods and Bryan Woods (Maria), Granddaughter Eleanor Woods, and many nieces and nephews.

Services for Don will be on Tuesday, December 23, 2025 at Bethel Baptist Church, 3861 Pax Hill Rd. Morganton, with the Rev. Kevin Sizemore officiating. Visitation will start at 11:00AM and the service at 12:00PM. Interment will follow at Burke Memorial Park.

In Lieu of flowers, please make donations to Bethel Baptist Church, 3861 Pax Hill Rd, Morganton, NC 28655.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.