Mary Lee Woods, 92, of Ocala, Florida, passed away on November 7, 2024. She was born June 5, 1932, near Harriman, Roane County, Tennessee, daughter of Charles Leonard Rose and Dollie Genetta (Mullins) Rose.
Her family moved to Connersville, Indiana with her seven siblings, and later to Spiceland, Indiana, where she graduated in 1949 from Spiceland High School. In 1951 she married Ronald L. Thomas and moved to New Castle, Indiana. In 1961 she was divorced from Mr. Thomas, and the same year married Donald M. Woods, a Professional Land Surveyor and a member of the City of New Castle Fire Department. She was mother of five sons, although one son died within 24 hours after childbirth. After the death of both of her parents in 1981, in 1982 the family relocated from Indiana to Ocala, Florida.
She worked outside the home primarily in office management and as a legal secretary. She was a member of the Association of Business and Professional Women. After moving to Florida, she worked for E.G.P., Inc. in Ocala. She had a knack for interior decorating and worked with direct sales of Home Interiors and Celebrating Home products. She was instrumental in promotion of a Women’s Ministry in the local Baptist churches. But she also had a passion for flowers, creating Camellia gardens in the landscape of her home, and was member of the Pioneer Garden Club, and serving multiple years in its leadership. In 2015, it was her vision for the Tuscawilla Art Park that is enduring to this day. She was a member of Trinity Baptist Church in Ocala, Florida. Her life has been one of service to others.
Mary Lee is survived by one sister, Nina Colleen Barnes (Mac) of Shirley, Indiana, and four sons, Donald M. (Pete) Woods, Jr. of Ocala, Florida, Merrill Lee Woods (Nancy) of Port St. Lucie, Florida, Stephen Patrick Woods (Denise) and Sean Mitchell Woods (Christy), of Seymour, TN. She is also survived by grandchildren Eric S. Woods and Laurie M. Town of Lake City, FL; Aaron M. Woods of Lake Butler, FL; Kayla Woods of Ocala, FL, Logan Woods of Live Oak, FL, James O’Callaghan, Sean O’Callaghan, Tomas O’Callaghan and Rachel (O’Callaghan) Springett, all of Jacksonville, FL; Braden M. Woods of Seymour, TN; Stephen Riley Woods of Lakeland, FL. Also Jared M. Town, Emily Brennan, Daniel Marso, Joseph Marso, all of Lake City, FL, and Brooklynn L. O’Callaghan and Mackenzie Rose Springett of Jacksonville, FL, plus numerous nieces, nephews and other family members.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Dollie Rose, brothers and sisters Col. Charles Lester Rose, Geneva Imogene (Rose) Mullikin, John Jesse Rose, Ralph Jennings Rose, Geraldine (Rose) Stephens, and Bobbie Aileen (Rose) Wright, and son Michael Allen Woods.
Funeral services will be at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services (910 East Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, FL 34470) on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at 1:00 p.m., and entombment after the service at Highland Memorial Park. Visitation will be on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.