GUY NAPOLEON WOODS - was born September 26, 1908 in Vardeman, Mississippi. He was the son of George Emmett and Eula Estelle Stokes Woods. His paternal grandfather was Napoleon Burrow Woods (1845-1907), and paternal grandmother was Mary Emma Leslie (1858-1903). His maternal grandfather was Henry Jefferson Stokes (1863-1949). His maternal grandmother was Mary Eliza Wood (1864-1949), both of Benton County, Tennessee. His maternal great grandparents were John King Wood and Nancy Burrell Foster of Benton County, Tennessee. He was the oldest of three children. His brother G. Earle was a gospel preacher, and his sister was Annie Mae Woods Bawcum. In his youth, Guy worked on the farm, and around the saw mill. His father was a logger, which was the reason Woods was born in Mississippi instead of the family hometown of Holladay, Tennessee. His father had worked at a sawmill in Vardeman for a brief period when Guy was born. Soon after they moved back to the family home of Holladay on the same acreage where the Church of Christ in Holladay now stands. He attended high school in Holladay and was active on the debate team, an activity that would set the stage for a career of deliberation on the polemic platform. He was baptized by J.W. Grant August 24, 1926. The next month he preached his first sermon at Holladay, Tennessee on his sixteenth birthday. He attended Freed-Hardeman College, Henderson, Tennessee for two years. Through the years he preached for a number of congregations on a regular basis: South Parkway, Memphis, Tennessee; Tompkinsville, Kentucky, 1929-1931; Post, Texas, 1932-1933; Kirkland, Texas, 1934; Wellington, Texas, 1934-1940; and Lubbock, Texas, 1943-1944. Beginning in 1945 he devoted himself to Gospel Meeting work throughout the country preaching for hundreds of different congregations. For over twenty-five years he conducted between 40 and 50 Gospel Meetings a year. Woods was a great debater. By the early 50's he had debated over one hundred leading denominational debaters in the country. In his lifetime he perhaps debated more people than any of his fellow preachers before or since. Of his debating skills, Grover Stevens in the 1946 Woods-Nunnery Debate wrote, "Bro. Woods has been successful as a debater for several reasons. One is his thoroughness. He never allows an argument of his opponent to go unnoticed. He makes his arguments in a forceful, intelligent, yet very simple manner. He does not become excited, nor does he allow his temper to show itself. He confines his remarks to the issues and not to personalities, as can be plainly seen from reading this debate." He debated men from numerous denominations. Some of the Baptists that he met were: D. N. Jackson (twice), H. F. Pepper (five times), A. U. Nunnery (twice), L. J. Crawford (twice), M. L. Welch (three times). Also, it may be of interest to note that he has met L. J. Crosswell, able materialist debater, six times. The occasions arose where he was called upon to debate his brethren from time to time as well. During the 1950s and 1960s the "ultra conservative," or "anti" movement among brethren caused the need for someone to arise to the occasion and defend the truth of God's word. He very logically and succinctly defended the truth against all attacks. Perhaps the most famous of the debates held with brethren was the discussion known as the Birmingham Debate, November 18-23, 1957 between Woods and Roy E. Cogdill on the subject of support of benevolent institutions from the treasury of the church. Guy N. Woods passed away in Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday evening, December 8, 1993. Thus ended the life and work of one of the most influential men in the church in the twentieth century.
Source: "Sorrowful" at Find-A-Grave

FRANK WRIGHT , 83, died at the home of his son, Freeman, in the Flatwoods community Saturday, March 31. Funeral services were conducted at Flatwoods Church by the Rev. W. M. Vaughn and the Rev. Paul Lyles Sunday afternoon. Interment was in Flatwoods Cemetery. He is survived by his widow, four sons, Theron Wright of Trenton, Whealon Wright, Camden, Freeman Wright, Eva, Leaby Wright of Big Sandy and two daughters, Mrs. Nona Clark of Millersville, Mo., and Mrs. Eunia Barfield, Pine Bluff, Ark.

LAWONA WRIGHT - Services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at one o'clock for Mrs. Lawona Wright, 89, by the Rev. Frank Daniels at Flatwoods Methodist Church. Interment in church cemetery. Stockdale-Malin Funeral Home in charge. Mrs. Wright, who passed away Monday at the home of her son, Freeman Wright, is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Homer Barfield, Pine Bluff, Ark., Mrs. Nona Clark, Millersville, Mo.; four sons, Theron Wright of Trenton, Wheeling Wright, Freeman Wright and Leabie Wright, all of Camden; 17 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

JESS WYNN died after a short illness at Jackson Madison General Hospital of lung cancer which had metastasized. Oakdale Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements. Jess Wynn was born in Harlan County, Kentucky, the 11th of 13 children. He became the first of his family to graduate from high school. He played football at Evarts High School and earned his Bachelor’s degree in English from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY. He then taught high school English in Evarts, KY and later at a private prep school. He had a great love for learning and reading. Wynn was a staff sergeant in the United States Army during the last of the Vietnam era, earning commendations and a purple heart when he was wounded in a fire fight explosion. After his discharge he worked as a house painter and construction worker before moving to Tennessee in 1979. Mr. Wynn worked for many years at Oak Ridge Associated Universities at the NOAA facility. For the last 3 years he taught at a private school in West Tennessee. Mr. Wynn wrote fiction, poetry, and autobiographical novels for his own enjoyment, and he loved to sing and play the guitar. He was also an excellent gardener and an avid fly fisherman. During one outdoor excursion he plucked a tiny puppy out of a raging river and brought her safely home in his fishing vest. He was a very caring person to both animals and humankind. He is loved and missed by many friends, family and co-workers. Plans for his memorial service are incomplete at this time. In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the American Cancer Society or your local animal shelter in his name