Extracted from The Town Talk (Alexandria, LA)
Sunday, October 26, 2008

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Riley J. Woods

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Riley J. Woods of Pineville passed away on Friday, October 24, 2008 at Regency House after a lengthy illness. Services will be held 27 October at 1 p.m. at the First Methodist Church of Pineville followed by a Catholic burial at 4 p.m. at the St. Lucy's Catholic Church cemetery in Hodge, LA with Deacon Terry Walsworth officiating. Dr. Henry Blount of will [sic] officiate the services along with a eulogy given by Barre Mitchell. Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Hixson Brothers Funeral Home, Pineville and from noon until time of services at the church.

A native of Jonesboro-Hodge, Riley was a long time resident of Pineville. He was a parishner of St. Francis Anne Catholic Church in Kolin. He is preceded in death by his parents Elihu and Harriet Quilter Woods, brother Elihu Woods Jr., sister, Margaret Woods Coen and infant child, all of Hodge, LA. Riley joined the U.S. Army in 1946. After an honorable discharge, he attended Louisiana Tech, majoring in forestry. Short of graduation, Riley joined the Louisiana Army National Guard, serving over 40 years. He served in various positions to include 1st Sergeant, 256 IN BDE, and Command Sergeant Major, 225th Engineer Group. Riley's proudest assignment was as the 1st Commandant of the Louisiana Army National Guard NCO Academy now located at Camp Cook. He received numerous awards during his service to include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal. Riley was an avid golfer. He also loved gardening and Notre Dame Football.

Riley will be sadly missed by his best friend and wife Patti Daye Woods of Pineville, daughters Gilda Mitchell and husband Barre of Rock Hill, South Carolina and Cecilia Federico and husband Tom of Charlotte, North Carolina, granddaughter Margo Mitchell of Charlotte, North Carolina, sister-in-law Brenda Anderson and husband Jon of Arlington, Virginia, and niece Janet Peterson of Weston. Scout, his beloved dog will also miss him.

Riley loved life and lived it to the fullest. He always had a smile and never met a stranger. Riley would want us to remember to live well, laugh often and love much. Please join the family in celebrating his life.

Pallbearers will be members of the Louisiana Army National Guard NCO Academy. Honorary pallbearers are his friends and fellow golfers, the LSUA Longshots.

Special thanks to the staff of Regency House and St Joseph's Hospice for their compassionate care.

Memorials may be made to the Louisiana Chapter - Alzheimer's Association 3717 Government Street, Suite 7, Alexandria, LA 71302 and the Louisiana Methodist Children's Home, P. O. Box 929, Ruston, LA 71273-0929.