Arthur Woods

Arthur Travis (Bobby) Woods, 86 of Forest, met Jesus Christ, his Savior, face to face on Sunday, July 18, 2021.

A celebration of life will begin at 11:00 am on Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Salem Baptist Church at Lake, with visitation one hour prior to the service beginning at 10:00 am.

There will be a visitation from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Forest.

Bobby was born on April 9, 1935 in Isola, MS to Leslie L. and Vernell Dickens Woods. He was raised in the Mississippi Delta and graduated from Hollandale High School.

Bobby married Hilda Jo Walters Woods, on October 11. 1957. Together, they raised three children: Terri (Woods) Pigford, Mike Woods, and Shellie (Woods) Slay.

In 1965, he became materials distributor for TECH tire Repair. While doing this, he was the number one TECH distributor, in the world, fourteen times. Because of his success and work ethic, the owner of Tech International in Johnsontown, Ohio hired Bobby to help other Tech Distributors in their business operations. This gave him and Hilda Jo, the opportunity to travel to Canada and every state east of the Mississippi River to share his expertise. He grew the business until his retirement, with his son following in his footsteps and his grandson involved in the business as well.

Their married life started in the Mississippi Delta before moving to Jackson where they lived for twenty-five years. There they were active members of McDowell Road Baptist Church where Bobby served as a deacon. In 1990, they moved to the Steele Community of Scott County. Active members of Salem Baptist Church, he considered it a true honor to have served on the Building Committee.

Bobby was blessed with the natural talent of doing things with his hands. The move to Scott County inspired him to build their dream home, on family land. He purchased a sawmill to make the needed lumber. The trees on their property were cut down to eventually become the materials he used to build their home. He was a self-taught, master craftsman with woodwork continuing to be one of his favorite hobbies.

They enjoyed RV traveling with a camping club, game nights with friends, and gospel music concerts. One of their RV trips introduced them to the art of stained glass. Bobby took to it immediately and became a sought-after artisan. He built everything from small fan lights to a large stained-glass window for a church.

Bobby’s greatest joy was his love for Jesus and serving Him in whatever way he could. His second love was his family. Those survivors are his wife, Hilda Jo Walters Woods; his children: Terri (Mike) Pigford, Mike (Joy) Woods, and Shellie (Steve) Slay; his grandchildren: Jacob Pigford, Josh (Ashley) Pigford, Travis (Whitney) Woods, Trevor (Jessica) Woods, Tanner (Madeline) Woods, Natalie (Sam) Yarborough, Zach (Stephanie) Tanksley, Nick (Regan) Tanksley, Ashley (Patrick) Thomas and Tori Slay; his great-grandchildren: Sindy, Marietta and Savannah Pigford; Mary Gwen and Betsy Woods; Tenley Woods; Bryson and Brody Yarborough; other family members include his sister: Anna Katherine (Les) Bell-Torrans; sister-in-law: Charlotte Walters; brothers-in-law: Kenneth (Faye) Walters and Kermit Walters, and friend, Linda Ellis; plus many nieces , nephews, and friends that called him Uncle Bobby.

Bobby will be laid to rest at Antioch-Steele Cemetery following the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the Shoebox Ministry of Salem Baptist Church. Donations may be mailed to 1986 Conehatta Rd., Lake, MS 39092.