Rev. Lewis D. Woods, 75, of Galesburg, went home to be with his Lord at 6:11 p.m. Saturday, April 22, 2023, in OSF St. Mary Medical Center after a short illness.
He was born December 13, 1947, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, the son of Howard D. and Maggie L. (Lewis) Woods. He married Debbie Mattis in Missouri. He later married Dorothy L. (Kirk) Murff in 1996 in Arkansas.
He is survived by his wife, Dorothy; children, Matt (Jamee) Woods of Nashville, Tennessee, Elizabeth Woods, Carl (Bridget) Murff of Amory, Mississippi, Clay (Amanda) Murff of Winfield, Alabama, and Kim Murff, Stephanie Murff, and Steve Murff, all of Gattman, Mississippi; 12 grandchildren and six great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Doug Woods; a sister, Phyllis Brown; three grandchildren; and one great nephew.
Lewis was an ordained minister in the Southern Baptist Church. He was pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Galesburg for many years. Lewis was also the founder and president of the Illinois Baptist College in Galesburg. He had lived in Galesburg since 1989. He earned his master’s degree from the Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis, Tennessee.
Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 28, 2023, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Galesburg Chapel. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Harmony Baptist Church. Rev. Mike Mathis, Rev. David Stewart, and Rev. Tom Rains will officiate. Cremation will be accorded following the service with burial at a later date in Tyronza, Arkansas. Memorial contributions in Rev. Woods’ name may be made to the Tom Rains Evangelistic Association. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
