Lee Woods

James Leon Woods III, "Lee", found eternal rest on Monday, September 23, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Lee was born on October 9, 1960, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Joan Wille Woods and James Leon Woods, Jr.

After graduating from Heritage Academy in Columbus, Mississippi in 1978, Lee attended Mississippi State University and earned two degrees in psychology, and later earned an MBA from University of Memphis. While at Mississippi State, he met the love of his life, Donna McCarra Woods, and they married on March 31, 1984. Growing up, Lee developed a love of sports, music, hiking, camping, and spending time with his siblings and friends.

Lee was a Financial Advisor for Edward Jones in his hometown, Clemson, South Carolina, and proudly operated his business with honesty, integrity, and the utmost care for the well-being of his clients. He found great joy in his Catholic faith and his involvement in the parish community of St. Andrew Catholic Church. Lee volunteered as a Boy Scout leader in Clemson's Troop 235 and enjoyed mentoring scouts along their merit badge journeys.

One of Lee's favorite things was traveling to new and different places with Donna. They especially cherished their time spent in Ireland and Italy, wandering and learning from all the people they met. His passion for being a grandfather was palpable; his love for his grandchildren was beyond comprehension. He was a fiercely loyal and dedicated man – to his family, to those he loved, to his faith, and to his strong intuition that made him the kind and compassionate man he was.

Lee is survived by his beloved wife, Donna Woods; his daughter, Sarah Fox and her husband, Brian; his son, Sam Woods and his wife Anjela; and his grandchildren, Mira Woods, Morgan Woods, Audrey Fox, and Aiden Fox. He is also survived by his mother, Joan Woods; his sister, Lorrie Jones; his brother, Andy Woods; his brother Will Woods and his wife Kelly; his sister-in-law Virginia Hill and her husband, Jim; his father-in-law Morris McCarra; and 7 nieces and nephews. 

He is preceded in death by his father, James Leon Woods Jr; his grandparents Gertrude and Otto Wille and James and Gladys Woods; his brother-in-law Andy Jones; his aunts Mary Jeanne Mackay and Connie Royal; and mother-in-law Dale McCarra.

A funeral Mass at St. Andrew Catholic Church will be held on Thursday, September 26th, 10 am. The family will receive guests following the ceremony for a reception in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, Lee's family respectfully asks that memorials be made to St Andrew Catholic Church at www.saclemson.org/give or the Troop 235 High Adventure Fund, c/o Fort Hill Presbyterian Church, 101 Edgewood Avenue Clemson, SC 29631.