Clifford Louis Woods Jr. - Obituary

lifford L. Woods Jr, 84, beloved husband, father, and grandfather transitioned to his heavenly resting place on February 15, 2025. Clifford (Cliff) was born in Marrero, Louisiana to Clifford L. Woods, Sr. and Gertrude C. Woods (Ferdinand) on July 17, 1940. As an only child, he attended elementary school in Algiers, Louisiana, St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, where he played clarinet as a member of the Purple Knights Marching 100, and Xavier University in New Orleans. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the District of Columbia, Washington, DC. Cliff joined the United States Air Force in 1961. After basic training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX, he was trained in telecommunications and assigned to Selfridge AFB, Michigan. There he also trained as a military sharpshooter. He was later transferred to Anderson AFB, Guam where he met the love of his life, Beverly A. Babin in 1962. They were later married in her hometown of Galveston Island, Texas at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on September 18, 1965. The couple then resided in Gretna, Louisiana where Cliff was the first African American hired and employed at Sears in the Catalog Department in 1965. He was later employed at the Michoud Space Facility in New Orleans, Louisiana working in telecommunications. In 1966, Cliff and Beverly were blessed with their first child, Sean. In 1968, Cliff relocated his family, Beverly and their two-year old son, Sean, to Washington, DC. There he was hired by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Headquarters as a mail clerk. After earning his degree, Cliff was promoted to NASA’s Personnel Management Department as a Personnel Management Specialist where he received numerous awards for his professional achievements. In addition to his professional achievements, Cliff received many awards and recognition for his volunteer community service involvement, and volunteer work at Assumption Catholic Church, Washington, D.C. In 1974, Cliff and Beverly were blessed with the birth of their second child, and beautiful daughter, Allyson. As a family they enjoyed traveling, especially to their hometowns in New Orleans/Marrero, Louisiana and Galveston/Houston, Texas. Cliff was a man of many talents. He enjoyed listening to and playing music. His primary focus was jazz, zydeco and Mardi Gras music. He also enjoyed playing his clarinet at events and family functions as well as the local Accokeek Performing Arts Philharmonic, and events in his hometown of New Orleans. Cliff loved to partake in extracurricular activities, so he took pride in serving various roles in multiple organizations. Upon his retirement, over 20 years ago, He served on the board of the Accokeek Memorial Library, Prince George’s County, Accokeek Development Review Commission. He was a board member of Columcille Council of the Knights of Columbus, Prince George’s County, where he was also elected twice to serve as Grand Knight. Finally, Cliff was a member of the St. Ignatius Catholic Church Financial Board. In addition to his volunteer work, Cliff took pleasure in learning about his family history which prompted an appreciation for genealogy, which resulted in locating distant and extended family members that formed long lasting and meaningful connections. Another one of his greatest joys was working with his St. Augustine High School Alumni Association, Washington, DC chapter where he also served as President. The alumni association, among many things, held fundraisers to support St. Augustine high school students as well as recent graduates that relocated to the DC/Maryland/Northern Virginia area. Above all, he remained an active member of his church and community until his illness left him unable to participate as he desired. Clifford leaves to mourn his wife of 59 years, Beverly, son Sean (Martina), daughter, Allyson (David Masembwa), granddaughter, Leila, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends. Relatives and friends are invited to Clifford's Mass of Christian Burial on Friday, March 7, 2025 from 9:30 A.M. until the start of the service at 10:30 A.M. at Saint Ignatius Catholic Church, 2315 Brinkley Rd, Fort Washington, MD 20744. Interment to follow at Resurrection Cemetery, 8000 Woodyard Rd, Clinton, MD 20735. Please have any flowers delivered directly to the church.