Larry Garcia Woods

1 9 4 9 Season of Life 2023

The season of life for Larry Garcia Woods began on July 29, 1949 in Chicago IL as the second (2nd)) of Four (4) Sons born to Mary Mitchell Woods and Clyde Woods. His parents and brother (Clyde W. Woods) preceded him in death.

Early in his season, Larry accepted Christ as his Savior and was baptized by Rev. Samuel Yates at Park Manor Baptist Church. Early on (age 5-6), Larry began taking piano lessons, for which he showed a high aptitude as well as a God-given gift. As an indicator of his future, all-consuming interest in music, on one occasion (en route to a piano lesson), Larry heard a number of dogs barking as they peered from behind their fences. He stopped in front of one of the houses and began to direct the chorus of dogs. That dog stopped barking, cocked his head - looking at Larry quizzically as he went down to his knees, directing the "Dog-Chorus".

From the time that he began taking music, it (music) was one of the driving forces in every season of Larry's life. As a youth, he attended New Haven Sunday School and served for a time as Sunday-School pianist. Even as an older youth and young adult (on Sunday) one could always find Larry at somebody's Church involved in something music related. He was a part of various and sundry concerts for numerous groups in the City of Chicago.

In learning season, Larry attended Chicago Public Schools (Park Manor and Hookway Elementary Schools) -graduating from Calumet High School (1967). Ever seeking to broaden his horizons, Larry took organ lessons from Professor Jackson (a renowned Gospel Musician) as well as other education and music education courses. In 1981, he earned a Bachelor Degree from Chicago-State University.

During his employment season, in the Mid-Seventies, Larry lived in California and worked in the music industry for several well-known groups (Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, etc.). In the 1980's he was employed by CPS for a period of time. As his season progressed, Larry was minister of music (directing, playing piano and organ) for numerous churches (including: First Baptist Church; Shiloh M.B.C., Mt. Pisgah M.B.C., Carey Temple A.M.E.) and various singing groups (including Thompson-Community Choir; Chicago-State University Choir, etc.).

On Sunday, April 9, 2023, at New Haven Baptist Church, Larry played his last chord on the organ and sang his last song as Minister of Music. After having played the final chord, and having led in the singing of the Benediction Hymn, "God Be with You", Larry's nimble fingers and his melodious singing voice was stilled in the service of the Lord. On Tuesday, April 11, 2023, the Hymn book was closed--his season having come to an end--the soul of Larry Garcia Woods went home to live with the Lord.

Left to cherish the seasons and memory of Larry's life are Brothers: Rohnnie and Eric Woods; Sister Claudette Ellis (Monrovia, CA); Nephew and Niece: Shawn and Shaye Ellis (Monrovia, CA); Four(4)

other Nieces: Larrice & Rhonda Woods (Austin, TX); Maryann Keys (Joshua) and Monica Woods; Sister-in-law: Dr. JoAnn Woods; (10) Great nieces and nephews; Three (3) Aunts: Augustine Lehmann; Warriene Curry; Beatrice Mitchell; an aunt within a Cousin: Lillie Timberlake; Ten (10) Great-great Nieces and Nephews, as well as more than Twenty-two (22) First cousins and numerous other cousins.

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