Luther Eugene Woods

Luther Eugene Woods, 102, of Huntington died peacefully at home on Sunday, March 15, 2014. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 69 years, Kitty Darlington Woods, and his dear sister, Betty Woods Daniel. He is survived by his daughters, Sue D. Woods, Huntington, WV, Kitty Woods (Dr. Martin) O’Donnell; Indianapolis, IN., his grandchildren Dr. Patrick W. (Allison) O’Donnell, Lexington, KY, Michael J. (Mary) O’Donnell, Park Ridge, IL, Kathleen O. (Javan) Odinga, Indianapolis, IN; great grandchildren, Caroline, Garrett and James; nieces, Betsy D. (Michael) Gerber, Huntington, WV, Virginia B. Darlington, Memphis, TN, Patricia M. Darlington (Diana and Kai Newman), Augusta, GA. The family will be forever grateful to caregivers, Becky Dingess, Margaret Hagley and Sallie Smith. Luther was born September 13, 1912 in Gary, WV, the son of the late Luther E. Woods, Sr. and Nettie Bicking Woods, natives of York Co., PA. He spent his formative years in McDowell County where he developed both his musical talent and life-long love of trains. He graduated from Marshall College in 1934 and Columbia University Law School in 1937. Upon returning to Huntington he became an associate in Campbell & McNeer Law Firm specializing in corporate law and serving many clients over fifty years as a partner with the firm now known a Campbell Woods, PLLC. He was named President of Crystal Block Coal & Coke Company in 1956, a company established by his father in 1910. He served a term as President of the Southern Coal Producers Association, a Director of Huntington Trust & Savings Bank, a Trustee of Cole & Crane Real Estate Trust from the early 1960’s through the remainder of his life and Chairman of the Board of Wasbold Properties, Inc. Luther was a member of Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church since 1930, served as Organist and Choir Director for thirty years, initiated the Music Scholarship Program and later chaired the Trustees. He was one of the founding fathers of the United Methodist Charities (now Foundation) of WV, Inc. Over the years he wove artistic, legal and business responsibilities into the pattern of his daily work in an orderly, disciplined manner while Saturday afternoons were set aside for golf with his close friends. A special joy was retirement years in Atlantis, FL with his wife, Kitty, where they were members of the Royal Ponciana Chapel. He served on the Board of the Palm Beach Habilitation Center, a non-profit dear to his heart. He will be remembered for his positive outlook on life, his integrity and generosity, keen mind, musical talents, gift for story telling and his utmost devotion to his family, friends and church. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations be made to Johnson Memorial UMC Music Scholarship Endowment Fund, Marshall University School of Fine Arts, Hospice of Huntington or Palm Beach Habilitation Center: 4522 S. Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, FL, 33461. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, March 21 by Rev. Jack Lipphardt at Johnson Memorial United Methodist Church, Huntington, WV with visitation from 11 a.m. until service time. Entombment to follow at Woodmere Memorial Park, Huntington.