Dwight Clayton Woods

The seventh child of nine children, Dwight Clayton Woods was born on July 8, 1952, to Mr. Melvin and Mrs. Bernice Woods in Los Angeles, California and grew up in the city Compton, California. Dwight matriculated through the Compton Unified School District and graduated from Compton High School where he was a member of the marching band. After high school, Dwight attended Compton Community College and Trade Tech College in Los Angeles.

Dwight faithfully and honorably served his country as a member of the United States Army. His bravery and deep commitment to his country earned him the National Defense Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and an Expert Qualification Badge with bars.

His military service shaped many of his beliefs and values, instilling in him a strong sense of duty and community. After receiving an honorable discharge from the United States military, he began his career as a longshoreman with the Long Beach Shipping yard. In addition to being an industrious and dependable worker for over 30 years, he was also instrumental in assisting many others—including his own relatives and friends—in qualifying for and commencing employment at Long Beach Shipping yard.

Dwight was also an enterprising and adventurous entrepreneur. His many business ventures included owning a restaurant and a racehorse.

Dwight accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at Union Baptist Church where he served in the youth choir and on the junior usher board. In 1985, he was re-baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ at the Bethany Community Church and later joined the Jacob’s Ladder Community Fellowship Church of the Apostolic Faith under the pastorate of the late Bishop Robert T. Douglas Sr., Ph.D. who was also his beloved brother-in-law.

Dwight is remembered not only for his service but also for his generous spirit and the kindness he extended to all he encountered. Throughout his life, he cultivated friendships and maintained relationships that showcased his ability to connect with various individuals from all walks of life. He was a devoted friend known for being a warm, caring, gregarious, and humorous person who was always welcoming others into his life with an open heart.

After a lengthy illness, Dwight passed away on September 4, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. He was preceded in death by his father, Melvin, J. Woods, Sr., his mother, Dr. Bernice Woods, his sister, Mary Jane Woods Fields, and his brothers, Melvin, J. Woods, Jr., Jule Norman Woods, Sr., and Kenneth Dale Woods.

He leaves to celebrate his life his wife, Linda Ann Woods; his children, Armisicha, Delonda (Garrick), La Danyel, and Daveon; his grandchildren, Destiny, DeWhite, and Garrick ("G2"); three sisters, Prenilla Lewis (Billy) Paulette Douglas, and Muriel Woods; one brother, Gregory Woods (Sandra); a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, co-workers and friends—including two of his very best life-long friends, JoAnn Benjamin and Russell Turner.

Dwight Clayton Woods leaves behind a legacy of warmth, compassion, and camaraderie that will persist in the hearts of all who knew him.