Mike Woods

Mike Woods, 76, of Kennesaw, GA passed away on Sunday, February 12, 2023. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, February 24, at Cobb Vineyard Church in Kennesaw, GA. Mike is survived by his loving wife, Cindy Woods; three daughters, Jill Wasson (Mike), Nicole Ham (David) and Lindsay Christy (Bret); grandchildren, Justin Miller, Noah Miller, Maggie Garrigan, Miles Garrigan, Brynn Christy, Beck Christy and Isla Ham; brother, Lynn Woods and nephew, Luke Woods. Mike’s kindness, humor, gentle nature, and willingness to lend a helping hand reverberated throughout his life and touched all of those who knew him. Oftentimes the most quiet person in the room, he still managed to make a friendly impression, get the nudge of a dog asking for a pet, or feel the pull of a child’s hand asking for attention. And he always gave whatever was asked of him. Mike was a storyteller. He shared stories of helping his dad on New Orleans construction sites in the 1950s and 60s. He reminisced about the springtime yellow ‘65 Ford Galaxie he wished he had kept and continued drag racing with his brother Lynn. He talked about fishing on Lake Pontchartrain and duck hunting in the Louisiana swamps. He served four years with the United States Air Force from 1966 to 1970 and was for a time stationed overseas outside of Istanbul, Turkey. He met lifelong friends, and of course held on to all of those stories to share with his family. After returning home from military service, Mike met his wife Cindy of fifty-one years in 1971, and they began to build a solid family life together. Mike joined AT&T where he would work for thirty-seven years and eventually retire. He put in many overtime hours and would even travel to other areas to lend a hand rebuilding phone lines after hurricanes or other natural disasters. He won a few perfect attendance awards for not missing a day, while instilling in his kids and grandkids what commitment looks like. Mike and Cindy settled in Pearl River, Louisiana and built a perfect, little red brick house where they raised their three daughters. Mike spent most of the 1980’s on the softball field with the girls. He coached teams, was at nearly every practice and game, and was present to provide support and guidance with poise and patience. He and Cindy saw an opportunity for growth, moving the family to Kennesaw, Georgia in 1996. It was no coincidence that the move brought him closer to his beloved Atlanta Braves and his dear family members in Summerville and Lyerly, Georgia. Soon after the move Mike became a ‘Papa’ and inevitably a hero to his seven grandchildren. He once again resumed the role of little league baseball superfan, and he assumed with pride his new role as loving grandpa who was always there for a joke, a bit of advice, a helping hand, or a trip to Waffle House. The indelible impression Mike made on his family and friends was the way he lived life with quiet, comforting, and often humorous calmness and unconditional love. The steadiness and stability was a great gift. The family will receive friends directly after the service at the Church. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made in honor of Mike Woods to the American Kidney Fund at https://www.kidneyfund.org/ways-give

Mike Woods

December 4, 1946 - February 12, 2023