Otis L. Woods

Otis Lee Woods was born July 8, 1951, in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was the beloved son of the late Johnnie and Corine (Houey) Woods. He entered eternal rest in the early morning of Friday, December 20, 2024.

Otis graduated from Second Ward High School, Charlotte, NC, where he played football. He furthered his education by attending Alcorn State Unive8rsity in Lorman, Mississippi. He later transferred to Morris College in Sumter, South Carolina earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. He graduated in 1979. While a student at Morris College, Otis played power forward and center positions on the basketball team. He and his teammates won several conference basketball championships.

While at Morris College, in the spring of 1979, Otis proudly pledged and became a beloved member of the Charter Line of Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. He desired to join the Omega Fraternity since his youth because of their principles. Those who truly knew him can attest to the fact that he truly lived those principles. Otis was honored to be a 45-year LIFE MEMBER of OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INCORPORATED.

Otis later joined the United States Navy in 1979, after graduating from Morris College. He proudly served for 9 1/2 years and has traveled around the world twice. Following his military service, he worked at the United States Postal Service for 20 years until his retirement.

In 1996, he started the Morris College Charlotte Alumni Chapter where he served as the Chapter President for 14 years. In 2003, the President of Morris College presented Otis with a Presidential Citation citing his strong financial support and his service to the College. The impressions of Otis' footprints and his devotion to Omega Psi Phi Fraternity will remain on the campus of Morris College and will inspire and motivate others for years to come.

Otis especially enjoyed pier and deep-sea fishing. He and his mother also shared fishing time when we all vacationed together. From youth to adulthood, Ricco enjoyed their fishing trips and Otis shared fatherly advice and fish stories. Otis and "Shelle" would share lunchtime together as she heard fatherly words of wisdom.

Every morning Otis would say: "Thank you God for allowing me to be part of your world."

Otis was preceded in death by his brothers Victor Rivers and John E. Woods.

Otis leaves his wonderful and devoted wife of 38 years, Carolyn W. Woods, to cherish their forever love and life together. He shared his love and with his daughter, Demarick "Shelle" Lynch and his son, Ricco Little. His loving sisters, Leavonne Howze, Gwendolyn Holt and Elaine Woods of Charlotte, NC. Sister-in-laws: Inez Rivers, Connie DeRamus, Cristine Wiley and Claudia Wiley-(Ousmane) Coulibaly. Brother-in-law, Presley Wiley. Nieces and nephews: Jimmy Howze, Pamela Howze, Tony (Shelitha) Howze, Gwendolyn Thorn, Regina Thorn, Karol (Jermaine) Greenleaf, Kevin (LaShelle) Holt, Laron Woods, Jarrett (Victoria) Jackson, Savannah Cunningham and Ramata Coulibaly. Also, a host of grands and great-grands.