Frances Violet Kemp Updike Woods 1911-2003 Obituary
Frances Violet Kemp Updike Woods, 91, a resident of 13 Dent St., Elkins, passed away at 8:50 a.m. Friday, Feb. 7, 2003, in the emergency department of Davis Memorial Hospital.
She was born Dec. 27, 1911, at Dobbins, the daughter of the late John Andrew and Harriet Jane Durst Kemp.
She was twice married. On June 26, 1934, she married Harold Updike, who preceded her in death in 1938. On Aug. 25, 1942, she was married to Byron Woods, who preceded her in death in 1999.
She is survived by two daughters, Dorothy Lee Updike Woods Carlson of Fairmont, and Harriet Jane Woods, who resided with Mrs. Woods; three grandchildren, Kari Carlson of Clarksburg, Angelina Carlson of Houston, Texas, and John Carlson of Fairmont; two nephews, John English, Warren, Ohio, and Robert Kemp of Maryland; and two nieces, Janet Kemp and Rose Marie Kemp, both of Los Angeles, Calif.
Also preceding her in death were two brothers, Elmer and Clarence Kemp; and two sisters, Nettie English and Carrie Kemp; four nephews, Franklin English, John, Hubert and Raymond Kemp; and a niece, Mary Demott.
Mrs. Woods was a graduate of Tygarts Valley High School with the class of 1930. She also graduated from the West Virginia Business College in 1934.
She worked at the Bank of Mill Creek until 1942. In 1947, she joined her husband in business operating the Central Street Apartments and Tygarts Valley Telephone Co. of Mill Creek. She was the bookkeeper for the telephone company until her retirement in 1970.
She was the first female deputy sheriff in Randolph County and served for 16 years. She was a lifetime member of the West Virginia Sheriffs Association.
In 1963, she graduated from the first class of the Davis Memorial Hospital’s Licensed Practical Nurses Training Course. She was employed for many years as a private-duty nurse at Davis Memorial Hospital.
She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, where she sang in the Chancel Choir. She served as a director of the Methodist Youth Fellowship and served as a national officer of the Board of Youth Fellowship. She was a member of the Woman’s Society of Christian Service and held many offices including president for several terms.
Mrs. Woods was a member and past president of the Business and Professional Women’s Club of Elkins, where she received numerous organizational awards. She was a member and served as president of the Randolph County Cancer Society and director of the Randolph County Cancer Closet many years ago. She also held offices at the state level in the Cancer Society.
She was a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, where she held numerous offices and served for many years as director of the annual Easter Egg Drive.
A private funeral service for Mrs. Woods will be held. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Randolph County Unit, 105 Wilson Lane, Elkins, W.Va. 26241, in memory of Mrs. Woods. The Tomblyn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements for Frances Violet Kemp Updike Woods.
Frances Violet Kemp Updike Woods 1911-2003 Obituary
