La Roi Woods, 83, passed away on April 22, 2025, at his home in Edmond, Oklahoma. In death, as in life, his beloved wife was by his side.
Huie La Roi Woods was born May 1, 1941, in Goose Creek, Texas, to Huie and Melba Woods. Born with complications, doctors predicted he wouldn't live. But his father prayed through the night for his son and by morning, La Roi had made a miraculous recovery.
La Roi lived his first two years in Pelly, along the banks of the bayou in what is now Baytown, Texas. When his father accepted pastorates in West Texas, La Roi moved with his family and spent the remainder of his childhood in Pampa and Borger.
At the age of 16, La Roi accepted the call to preach. He was credentialed with the Assemblies of God and left home to attend high school at Southwestern Bible Institute in Waxahachie, Texas. Upon graduation in 1959, La Roi enrolled in college courses at SBI, now Nelson University. He traveled with school and family ministry teams preaching, singing and playing his trombone primarily in Texas and then Oklahoma.
In 1968, La Roi met a pretty schoolteacher named Sarah Jean Chambers at a Valentine's Banquet at First Assembly in Edmond, Oklahoma. They were married on May 31, six weeks after their first date. As a native Texan, La Roi often said, "When I came to Oklahoma, I had a hard time understanding the natives, so I married one." The newlyweds continued evangelizing until La Roi accepted the associate pastorate position at First Assembly in Ponca City, Oklahoma.
La Roi pastored two churches during his ministry career. From 1971 to 1988, he pastored the Assembly of God church in Alva, Oklahoma. From 1989 to 2006, he pastored the First Assembly in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. He not only pastored the congregations, but also the communities.
La Roi modeled generosity. He not only taught his congregations to serve their communities, but also led them to support ministries across the U.S. and around the world. He especially loved missionaries and their families and found ways to minister to them.
Pastoring was not something La Roi did; it was who he was. He was compassionate, available to listen, quick to pray, and ready to help. He was a man of wisdom, often quoting the book of Proverbs. La Roi was honest. He spoke the truth in love.
God was always first in his life, but his family was a very close second. La Roi was a caring and attentive husband to his wife. They sincerely enjoyed each other and were always together. They were partners in ministry. Although La Roi often teased his wife and called her "spoiled," he was to blame.
They were the proud parents of three boys – Mike, Matt, and Tim. La Roi taught his sons about a personal God who would guide their every step. Additionally, he taught his family that a healthy sense of humor was "good medicine." The Woods house was always filled with laughter!
In 2006, La Roi and Sarah Jean moved to Edmond and attended the church where they first met. They always enjoyed traveling and continued to do so in retirement. Many of their destinations included visits to see their grandchildren.
La Roi was an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and in 2017 was recognized with a 50-year pin. Throughout the years he served in a variety of capacities within the Oklahoma Assemblies of God. Yet, above all, he was a friend and mentor to other ministers. At the time of his death, he had held papers with the fellowship for 68 years.
La Roi was especially grateful that in the latter years of his life that all three of his boys lived close by and they were able to spend time together with all of their families.
La Roi Woods is survived by his wife of almost 57 years – Sarah Jean; his sons – Mike and Dayna of Yukon, Matt and Mindy of Yukon, and Tim and Kay Lynn of Mustang; and 12 grandchildren – Seth and Grayce Taylor, Kade and Keleigh Woods, Asher and Alexis Woods, Crew, Hudson, Seton, Harper, Spencer, Cora, Sybil, Eliza and Hugo; and one great-granddaughter Alyvia Woods. He is also survived by his aunt – Oda B. Anderson of Baytown, Texas, sister – Jeanine Sullins of Houston, Texas, nephew – Rob Sullins, of Dallas, Texas, along with many cousins, extended family members and a host of friends.
Edmond. Arrangements are with Matthews Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Awaking Hope – awakinghope.com. P.O. Box 700209, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 74170. (918) 494-7772.
Visitation will be held May 2, 2025, from 4pm to 8pm, and May 3rd, 2025, from 1pm to 8pm at Matthews Funeral Home. Edmond, Oklahoma.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00pm, May, 6th, 2025, at Spring Creek Assembly of God, Edmond, Oklahoma.