Woods, Jr., Lewis Bernard
Lewis Bernard Woods, Jr. (a/k/a “Big Lew”) was born on June 1, 1943 in Gary, Indiana to Lewis B. Woods, Sr. and Clarine Woods. He was their third child. As a young man growing up in Indiana, Lewis attended elementary and middle school in Gary and he graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1960. He also completed one year of college in Des Moines, Iowa. Lewis worked for U.S. Steel for a short time, the Gary Public Schools system, and the City of Gary Sanitation Department, where he served as a union steward with the Teamsters Union. Lewis met his life’s partner, Claudia Gay, in 1974. The two were joined in holy matrimony on January 1, 1976, and they shared over 45 years of wedded bliss together. Upon marrying Claudia, Lewis became father to her three adolescent daughters—Patricia, Nancye and Gaye—a role which he embraced wholeheartedly, displaying love unconditionally, while freely sharing his knowledge and wisdom. Lewis moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1985, and he had several jobs before he was hired by Enterprise Rent-A-Car, where he worked for 24 years, until his retirement in 2012. Over the years, Lewis received numerous plaques and certificates of appreciation from Enterprise for his valuable service to the company. Lewis was an avid music lover with a passion for motorcycles, cars, and anything dealing with the military. He was an original member of Sin City Deciples Motorcycle Club, which was founded in Gary, Indiana in 1967. Lewis enjoyed riding his Harley-Davidson motorcycle for as long as he was physically able and he proudly displayed his many motorcycle-related gear and memorabilia. Lewis also traveled when he could, including his “bucket list” trip to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2010. Although slowed by illness in his later years, Lewis never lost his enjoyment of life, or his quick wit and insightful commentary. Lewis passed away peacefully on November 6, 2021, at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, at the age of 78 years. Lewis was proceeded in death by his parents, Lewis Sr. and Clarine Woods, one sister, Sylvia Woods, and two brothers, Christopher Woods and Donald Woods. Lewis leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Claudia; three daughters: Patricia Robinson of Tucker, Georgia; Nancye Robinson of Lawrenceville, Georgia; and Gaye (Gary) Thomas of Lawrenceville, Georgia; five sisters: Ida Woods of Gary, Indiana; Yvonne (Burnett) Aldrich of Miller, Indiana; Valerie (Charles) Austin of Gary, Indiana; Karen (Thomas) Tinsley of Gary, Indiana; and Adrienne Woods of Dallas, Texas; one brother, Kenneth Woods of Stone Mountain, Georgia; one sister-in-law, Charlene (Rome) Andrews of McCardsville, Indiana; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. Message from Claudia to Lewis: “From my heart to your heart, Babes, Rest in Peace.”
Visitation will be held Saturday, November 20, 2021 from 9am – 11am with funeral services starting immediately at 11am at Smith, Bizzell & Warner Funeral Home 4209 Grant St. Gary, IN 46408. www. smithbizzellwarnerfuneralhome.com