Woodrow Underwood

Whitsett - Woodrow Underwood affectionately known as Woody by family and friends passed from this life to the life everlasting on Monday, September 10, 2007 surrounded by his family. A native of Guilford County, Woody was born July 31, 1918, the oldest son of John Wesley and Murkadese Apple Underwood. One of twelve children, he is preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Nita Summers, Florence Flynt, Willie Underwood, Mary Mitchell, Alma Underwood, Nancy Underwood and brothers, Franklin, J. D., and Robert Underwood. Woody was also preceded in death by his wife of 46 years Ramona Woodard Underwood. Woody was known for his skill in woodworking, carpentry and sawmilling. He was an avid gardener and enjoyed reading fiction, music, and loved to dance. A World War II veteran, he proudly served in the U.S. Navy from 1941 to 1945 aboard the battleship, USS New Mexico. As a second class gunnersmate, he saw action in the Aleutians, Gilbert Islands, Marshall Islands, Guam and the Philippines. As part of the occupation force, he witnessed the surrender aboard the USS New Mexico in Tokyo Bay. Woody retired from his business, Underwood Construction in 1980 and spent his retirement gardening and running his saw mill. A member of Mt. Hope United Church of Christ, he had served as Sunday school officer, member of the church brotherhood and choir. Woody is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Rocky Royal, with whom he made his home, of Whitsett, son and daughter-in-law, Randy and Debbie Underwood of Liberty; grandchildren, Wes Royal of Raleigh, Megan and Cory Underwood of Liberty; brother, Charlie Billie Underwood of Brown Summit; sister, Bobbie Jean King of Gibsonville and sister-in-law, Patricia W.J. Apple of Gibsonville. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell for their support and loving care of Woody. The family will receive friends Wednesday, September 12, 2007 from 5:30 to 8:00 at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory and other times at the home his daughter, Cheryl Royal 6547 Foster Rd. Whitsett. The funeral service will be held at 3:00 PM Thursday, September 13, 2007 at Mt. Hope United Church of Christ in Whitsett officiated by Rev. Lloyd Spencer with burial to follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mt. Hope United Church of Christ, 2400 Mt. Hope Church Rd., Whitsett, NC 27377 or to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Rd., Burlington, NC 27215. You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com