Annie Ruth Woods

Annie Ruth Woods, 92, went to be with the Lord on April 25, 2012 at her home in Maryville, TN. She was born at White House, Sumner County, Tennessee on November 11, 1919 to John H. and Pauline Fulks George. After her mother died young, Ruth helped to raise her siblings. One of her first jobs outside the home was at the Val-Tec Aircraft Manufacturing Company in Nashville, helping to build P38s during World War II. It was there that she met her first husband, William H. Proffitt. They were married in November, 1943. In addition to their daughter Paulette, they also raised Ruth’s youngest sister, Patsy. After the death of her first husband in 1964, and while living in McNairy County, Tennessee, she met and married Thomas W. Woods on May 20, 1969. For many years they owned and operated a florist shop in Selmer. Upon their retirement some twelve years ago, they sold the flower shop and moved to Maryville. They joined Broadway United Methodist Church in 2000. Mrs. Woods was a long time member of the Iva Moore Sunday School class. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Charles George, a sister Jewell Christine Johnson, her first husband William Proffitt, and a step-son Gerald W. Woods. She is survived by her husband Tom Woods of Maryville, daughter Paulette Proffitt Doss Stepp and husband, Mark of Walland; step-son Tom D. Woods and wife Tommie, Frisco, TX; sister Patsy George Gibbs and husband Bobby, Adamsville, TN; sister Ann Lafever and husband Bill, Madison, TN; sister Mary Gaston, Nashville; step-daughter-in-law Priscilla Woods, Atlanta; grandchildren Kathy Gibbs Milford, Adamsville; Jimmie S. Doss II, Knoxville; Meredith Woods, Raleigh, NC; Beau Woods of Atlanta; Mitzi Woods Brown, Frisco, TX; and Kade Doss Scates, Knoxville. Survivors also include great-grandchildren Kristina and Kellie Milford, and Caleb, Mason and Jacob Brown, along with several nieces and nephews, and special friend Jim Doss of Knoxville. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 27, 2012 from 5:00 until 7:00 pm at Smith Trinity Chapel and Saturday, April 28, 2012 from 2:00 until 3:00 pm at Smith Trinity Chapel with the service to follow at 3:00 pm, with Rev. Amy Probst presiding. Interment will follow at Grandview Cemetery. The family wishes to thank Blount Memorial Hospice for their care during her illness. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Broadway United Methodist Church, 309 E. Broadway Ave., Maryville, TN, 37804. Smith Funeral & Cremation Service, Maryville, 865-983-1000. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Annie Ruth Woods please visit our Sympathy Store.