Iretha Walton Woods

On May 8, 2025, God dispatched his angels to the Woods' residence. The angels quietly whispered in Iretha's ear that it was her time. She peacefully accepted God's call and went home to live in Eternal peace.

Iretha accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age in her life. She was a woman of pride, a woman of respect, a woman of strong will who had enough love for everyone who came into her life. She rises from her adversity but never forgets her origin. She learns from her past, and chooses to keep going forward, even when her steps may get heavy. She was a woman who was able to transform her pain and suffering into strength and wisdom.

Iretha was born June 22, 1967, to the late Bessie Mae Smith (mother) and the late Robert Walton (Father) in Polk County, Florida. She was the firstborn of five siblings. She was preceded in death by three siblings, Rose Ann Smith, Patrick Tyrone Smith and Rufus Eugene Smith.

She accepted Christ as her personal savior at an early age in her life.

Iretha graduated from Kathleen High School in Lakeland, FL, and later started working as a phlebotomist technician while in Lakeland. Later in 1988, she met the love of her life, SFC Marshall Simon Woods, at Florida Southern College, in Lakeland, FL.

In 1992, Iretha and Marshall had their first-born son, Phillip, and in 1996 had their second-born child, Christian, both of Lakeland, FL.

In 1996, Iretha moved to Thomasville, GA, to unite with her husband, Marshall. Iretha was employed and worked for the city of Thomasville for several years.

She was a veteran who served in the military, Army, and Navy for several years, honored with pride and dedication to her country.

Iretha continued to further her education by going back to college and receiving both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Thomas University in Thomasville, GA.

Iretha is known as "Mrs. Woods" by her peers, coworkers, and staff. She started working at Bishop Foundation in Quitman, GA, as a drug/alcohol coordinator for several years, until she resigned and started working at GA Pines in Thomasville, GA. Here she completed her internship for her career in Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities. She later transferred and started working for the State of Georgia as a Program Manager for the Community Forensics Services-South until her passing.

"Retha Mae," as she was affectionately called by her husband and kids, wore a beautiful and contagious smile, and never met a stranger. Enjoying life and family was one of her passions, along with her favorite pastimes, which included traveling, shopping, helping in the community, spending time with family, cooking, and dancing.

She was a member of the American Beauty Chapter No. 214, Order of the Eastern Star from March 22, 2007, to the present, for 18 years. During her tenure, she served as Chapter Treasurer, Associate Matron, and Worthy Matron. Through the years, she worked on several committees, and she always believed in the chapter giving back to the community. She was dedicated to charity, truth, and loving-kindness.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Marshall Woods; sons, Phillip Marshall Woods and Christian Marsalis Tyler Woods; grandchildren, Blakelyn Ivey Woods, Phoenix Geneva Monroe Woods, and Marsalina Rose Woods; stepsons, Rayshon Woods and Marshall Woods, Jr.; stepdaughter, Marshelle Maynard; brothers, Willie F. Smith, Jr., and Ulyssess Smith; brothers-in-law, Walter Woods and Irvin Woods; sisters-in-law, Olivia Woods and Shirley Woods; special aunt, Patricia Moore; aunts, Velma Walton Nicholson, Jimmie L. Stephens, Irene Davis and Hazel Joseph; special cousins, Genice Collins and Faye Washington; special cousin-in-laws, Nadine Moore, Clifford Moore, and Starlett Horne; special friends, Faye Hayes and Janice Moody. She also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.