D. M. Woods, Sr.
Augusta, GA – On March 4, 2014, Duren “D.M.” M. Woods, Sr. went to be with his Lord and Savior. He was born to the late Oliver Duren and Minnie Lee Whitaker Woods and step-mother Edna Welcher. D.M. was born in Dearing, GA and a longtime resident of Augusta.
D.M. retired after 34 years of dedicated service from Gracewood State School and Hospital as a maintenance supervisor. He was also known at GSSH as Santa Claus as he delighted the hearts of the residents for many years in their parades. His wife Pat was always by his side as Mrs. Claus. D. M. served on the Board of Directors of the Richmond County Credit Union. He was a member at Lumpkin Road Baptist Church and the Calvary Sunday School Class. As a former member of Windsor Heights Baptist Church, he served as the Choir Director. D.M.’s passion was to serve through his ministry of music. D. M. began his singing career as a young man and sang with the Kingdom Heirs for over 25 years and also with the Southern SongMasters. When he was not traveling with his group, D.M. could often be found performing at funerals, weddings, nursing homes and senior citizens groups at Piney Grove Baptist Church.
D. M. was a kind, gentle, caring, compassionate, loving and devout Christian. He cherished spending his time with his wife who was the love of his life. They enjoyed sharing their hobbies and passions together, especially traveling to the mountains. D.M. was an avid deer hunter, enjoyed his hobby of wood working, and performing projects at his home.
D.M. is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Patricia “Pat” Swearingen Woods. He leaves behind his daughter and 2 sons: Milton Woods (Tricia) of Hephzibah and Dustin Woods (Stacey) of Augusta, and Tara C. Moreno of Evans; 8 grandchildren that he loved with all his heart: Ashlynn Miles, Kaitlin Woods, Montana Moreno, Price Moreno, Dakota Woods, Riley Moreno, Clay Woods, and Brylin Woods; and brothers: Forrest Woods, Eric Woods and Darrell Woods all of Hephzibah; and numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Mr. Woods was preceded in death by his brothers: John Woods and Donald Woods.
A funeral service will be held Friday, March 7, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at Lumpkin Road Baptist Church with Rev. Don Stone and Dr. Roland Galloway officiating. Interment will follow in Hillcrest Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Robert Davis, Ryan Davis, Steve Sealy, John Saxon, Dave Cruise and Gary Swearingen. Honorary pallbearers will be the Kingdom Heirs and the Southern SongMasters.
The family wishes to thank the Alzheimer’s Association for their assistance throughout the years and Alliance Hospice for their care.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at
www.thomaspoteet.com