Rebecca Woods

Henderson: Martha Rebecca Christopher Woods died Saturday morning, March 5, 2011, in her home in Henderson, Tennessee. She leaves one daughter, Regina Woods East. Her husband, Kenneth Woods, preceded her in death in 1969 and son-in-law Bob D. East died in 1997. She was born in the Plainview community near Jacks Creek, Tennessee on April 2, 1911, the daughter of Hal C. and Mary Williams Christopher. Her brother, H. C. Christopher, and sisters, Mona Delois McCoy, and Mary Nell Tignor had preceded her in death. She leaves her nephew John Larry Tignor (Janet) of El Durado Hills, CA, nieces, Janet McCoy Haslett of Hanford, CA, Rosanna McCoy Milling(Jim) of Memphis, TN, Joy Brewer McKinnon (Al) of Henderson, TN and Gina Brewer Nelson (Scott) of Jackson, TN, and a sister-in-law Ruby Nell Woods Brewer (Max) of Henderson, TN. One niece, Lenora Christopher Cox (Wade), died last year.



She graduated from Chester County High School in 1929 as valedictorian of her class and

attended Freed-Hardeman College. She and KennethWoods married in July 9, 1933, and their only child, Regina, was born in 1936.



Kenneth and Rebecca Woods owned and operated Henderson livestock Sales in Henderson until his death. She was very involved in her work at Henderson Church of Christ, in local civic and political activities. Regina attended Freed-Hardeman College and Kenneth and Rebecca actively were involved in promoting education at the college.



Rebecca had attended the Henderson Church of Christ since she and her husband moved to Henderson in the 1930’s. For several years she taught Bible classes and served the church in many other ways.



Rebecca and her daughter, Regina, belong to several genealogical societies and they have served as chapter, state and national officers in all of them. In 1977, she and Regina joined the national Society Daughters of the American Revolution and served as chapter regent in 1995. She served the State Society as Chaplin in 1986, Membership Chairman in 1991, State insignia Chairman in 1992, Treasurer of the State Officers’ Club in 1989 and attended all Tennessee State Conferences from 1978-1996. On the National Level she participated in the treaty of Paris Bicentennial Celebration in Paris, France. She traveled with President General Mrs. Walter Hughey King and others to France to attend the receptions, dinners, and marched with the DAR down the Champs Elysees in celebration.



She belonged to the United States Society Daughters of 1812, Tennessee chapter Tulip Grove. She and her daughter traveled to South America in 1952 with President National Mrs. John Keisling to rededicate the graves of American sailors who were killed off the coast of Chile during the War of 1812 when the frigate “ESSEX” was attacked and sunk.



Other societies that she was a member of were Daughters of the American Colonists, charter member of the Colonel Gideon Macon Chapter, Colonial Dames XVII Century, The Colonial Dames of America Tennessee Society ChapterVII, National Society Dames of the Court of Honor State President in 1993-1995, and The Huguenot Society Founders of Manakin.



The following states have recognized Rebecca’s political service and named her Honorary Colonel: Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi and Alabama. She served as a member of the Tennessee State Democratic Committee 1979-1987, Chester County Democratic Women’s Club, Chester County Democratic Committee, and the Governor’s committee on Highway Safety, served as hostess for Tennessee Treasures, and Tennessee Bicentennial committee. She attended two National Democratic Conventions as a Tennessee delegate.



She was honored in 1979 by Civitan International Henderson Chapter as Citizen of the Year for outstanding and dedicated service.



For many years she served as a volunteer worker in the American Red Cross.



The American Heart Association awarded her a certificate for raising funds and serving as a communication chairman in 1991.



She was listed in Volume II Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans - 1977 edition.



She was a former member of the Chester County Chamber of Commerce; member of Chester County Historical Association, Past President of the Chester County Chapter Freed-Hardeman University Associates and Past National President of the FHU Associates. The University named her Alumnus of the Year in 1982. President E. Claude Gardner presented a certificate of Appreciation to her in 1988 for loyalty and service to the University.



The Governor of Tennessee appointed her to the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Authority in 1975.



Funeral services will be 11:00 A. M. Wednesday at Shackelford-Casey Chapel with Ben Flatt, E. Claude Gardner, Roy Sharp, Billy Smith, and Milton Sewell officiating and burial will follow at Henderson City Cemetery.