Obituary: The Rev. Ray Woody

The Rev. Ray Woody, 84, of Sarasota, died Jan. 1.

Born March 11, 1930, in Richmond, Va., Woody graduated from John Marshall High School and received a bachelor’s degree from King College in Bristol, Tenn., a master’s of divinity at Union Theological Seminary in Richmond and a Doctor of Ministry at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Woody served churches in Buchanan, Va., First Presbyterian Church in Maitland, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church in Stone Mountain, Ga., and Siesta Key Chapel. He was also the first pastor at Christ Church of Longboat Key, Presbyterian.

Woody is remembered as a kindly man of magnetic personality who was a wise counselor and forceful teacher and preacher with an unbounded Christian love for his congregation.

Woody is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Ann Woody; children Susan Allen, of Apple Valley, Minn., David Woody, of Atlanta, and Ruth Kawecki, of Arnold, Md.; and four grandchildren.

A service will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 9, at First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St., Sarasota.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 2050 Oak St., Sarasota FL 34237; Christ Church of Longboat Key, P.O. Box 10185, Longboat Key, FL 34228; Siesta Key Chapel, 4616 Gleason Ave., Sarasota, FL 34242; or King College, 1350 King College Road, Bristol, TN 37620.