James Leonard Woods, 89, of Gainesville, GA passed away peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at Manor Lake Memory Care in Athens, GA. He was born on August 18, 1936, son of the late Sammy Lincoln Woods Sr. and the late Mary Frances Norman Woods.James was a devout member of New Haven Church of Gainesville, GA where he served for many years. He retired from Johnson & Johnson where he worked for over 30 years. He enjoyed gospel singing with his guitar, ministering, and was an avid golfer.He was preceded in death by his son Dennis James Woods (Maria); brothers Wallace Edward Woods (late Martha) and Sammy Lincoln Woods Jr. (Eddie Mae); sisters Betty Faye Woods and Mary Helen Moody (late E.D.); nephews Gary Wallace Woods and Steve Edward Woods; and niece Kathie Woods Yielding.

He is survived by his loving wife of 72 years Yvonne Boggs Woods; children Karen Bond (Tony) and Darrell Woods (Anna Marie); sister Martha Bridges (late Herman); grandchildren Jenifer Dove Gillespie (Jeremy), Samuel Woods, Ryan Greene-Woods (Terri), Jacob Woods (Maris), Tyler Woods (Bethany), Barrett Woods, and Jackson Woods; great-grandchildren Jordan Wiley (Anna), Jared Wiley (Jayla), Jaden Gillespie (Ally Vickery), Rylee Grace Woods, Cadence James Woods, and Percy Lee Woods; and great-great-grandchildren Adalynn Wiley, Waylon Wiley, Jaisely Wiley, and Baby Wiley.

The family would like to extend their utmost gratitude to the staff, nurses, and care takers at Manor Lake Memory Care, as well as to the staff of Hart Health & Rehab, and the hospice team at Providence Hospice.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, 2026 at Lord & Stephens Eastside on Lexington Road in Athens, GA. Funeral services will be held following the visitation with Pastor Bobby Griffin officiating. Interment will follow at Pentecost Chapel Congregational Holiness Church in Lexington, GA. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Congregational Holiness Church Mission Program.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Homes, East, Athens, GA is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com