Rev. Michael Lee Woody, 63, of Buchanan, beloved husband, extremely dedicated dad and granddaddy, minister, and friend, passed away peacefully Saturday morning, March 9, 2024.
He was born November 26, 1960 in Roanoke and he graduated from Cave Spring High School in 1979. He began his college career at Carson-Newman where he was set to play basketball but a foot injury sidelined him before the season began. Mike came home and attended Virginia Western for two years before transferring to Radford University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1983; then he enrolled in Southeastern Seminary and earned his Master of Divinity in 1988. Mike was very athletic and enjoyed all sports but had a true love for basketball. He played basketball in high school and at Virginia Western. He continued to play intramural sports through his college years and into seminary.
Pastor Mike served as Youth Pastor at Boones Mill Baptist, Tabernacle Baptist, and Oakland Baptist; he pastored at Buchanan, Arcadia, and Cedar Bluff Baptist in the Buchanan area. He poured himself into the community because he felt that the best way for people to hear about Jesus was to see it lived out. He coached county recreational sports including basketball, baseball, and soccer. He was the assistant baseball coach at James River from 1994-1998 and assistant soccer coach from 2013-2020. He also served as Booster Club President and PTA President.
Mike’s favorite time of the year was when the Carnival came to town. He worked a window every night just so he could visit with people. His line always had a long wait because he’d want to hear about what you were doing instead of serving you and moving on. Mike was very proud of his children and their accomplishments. He instilled in them a work ethic and a need not to waste money. He enjoyed attending ball games of his students and children of the church.
Mike truly had a minister’s heart and even after he had resigned from full-time ministry because of his restrictions of MS, he continued to minister by sending Bible verses or inspirational thoughts to many. Some of those included Charlie Brown characters. Mike loved the Peanuts comic strip and all the philosophical advice that Charles Schulz gave through his characters. Many of you knew that about him and would send him memes and/or buy things that were based on the Peanuts cartoon characters. When he was little, he strongly identified with Linus.
He taught Weekday Religious Education classes for over 25 years where elementary students were able to hear the Gospel weekly during the school year. Because of his years of involvement within the community with sports and WRE, he officiated many weddings and funerals over the years. He always loved seeing the kids he had worked with over the years and all the things they accomplished. For many years as pastor of Buchanan, he was the only minister that coordinated the activities and camps for children and youth.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, Bill Norman Woody and Edna Leona Grimes Woody, and a brother, David Woody. He is survived by his wife of 26 years Susan Cochran Woody; his three children, Benjamin Lee Woody, Kristin (Tyler) Schmidt, and Jordan (Kaitlyn) Pinkard; grandchildren, Klay and Noah Grace Pinkard, Tate Schmidt; sisters, Sandra (Randy) Lichtenberger and Lisa Woody; nephew, Michael Lichtenberger; aunt, Pat Woody; numerous cousins including a special cousin, Heather (Rich) Simpson; sisters and brothers-in-law, Cindy (Rodney) Washam, Bill (Sharon) Cochran, Anne Brown, Robert (Cherise) Cochran; and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pastor Mike’s visitation was held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 17, 2024 in the Buchanan Chapel of Botetourt Funeral Home, with a memorial service following at 3 p.m. officiated by Rev. Brad Turner, Teresa Rothwell, and Pastor JR Graybill. Interment was private. Those wishing to make contributions, please consider Solomon’s Mission, or Buchanan, Arcadia, or Cedar Bluff Baptist Church. Online condolences may be made at www.botetourtfuneralhome.com or 540-254-3000. Anyone who knew Mike was blessed.
