Joe Woody passed away peacefully at age 89 at his home in Rutherfordton, North Carolina surrounded by his loving family. Joe was born in Rion, South Carolina, but moved to Forest City, NC when he was one year old. He graduated from Cool Springs High School and attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He enlisted in the United States Army in August 1942 and served as a Staff Sergeant in the Asiatic Pacific Theater until October 1945, primarily in New Guinea. After the war, he returned to North Carolina and held various jobs until he settled on a career in insurance. He rose to the position of Vice President with G.B. Harrill Insurance Agency in Forest City, working with the company for 28 years. Not ready to stop working, he commuted from Rutherfordton to Greer S.C. to work as a Commercial Underwriter with State Auto Insurance for another 20 years until he retired at the age 82. Well into his 80's, Joe was traveling three days a week with his work, visiting clients and meeting with agents across western North Carolina. Joe had a curious mind, a substantial intellect, and a remarkable work ethic that allowed him to overcome very humble beginnings. His father, James Ira Woody, died in a boating accident when Joe was a baby. Joe and his two older sisters, and a third sister that would be born only months after the accident, were moved to North Carolina by their proud and industrious immigrant mother from County Cork, Ireland, Catherine (Sullivan) Woody. Catherine raised the four children by herself, with young Joe as the man of the household. His character was carved from and shaped by those challenging times. His success story is an inspiration to all who knew him and loved him. Joe's varied interests included sports and politics, and he served on the Forest City Town Council for two terms. He was a dedicated fan of the sports programs at UNC-Chapel Hill and often could be found sporting Carolina blue clothing with the Tarheel insignia. He was also a proud and active member of First United Methodist Church, Rutherfordton. He will be deeply missed by his family, his wife, his children and grandchildren, and his community of friends in Rutherfordton, N.C. He is survived by his wife of 33 years, Myra Armstrong Woody and her children whom he cherished and helped raise: Stanley Morgan of Charlotte, NC; Kerri Mosley and husband Mike Mosley and their two sons, Benjamin and Jacob of Monroe, NC; Cherri Johnson and husband Joey Johnson and their two daughters, Mollie and Katie of Concord, NC. Joe is also survived by his children from a previous marriage, James Donald Woody and his wife Linda and their daughter Ashley and son Justin of Mint Hill, NC; daughter Judy Woody Cairo and her husband Michael Simpson of Los Angeles, CA; and by his daughter Joanne Woody Oates of Greensboro, NC. He was predeceased by his sisters Mary Willie Woody and Anne Woody Reid, and is survived by his sister Ira Mae Woody Myers and her husband Rhymer Myers of Charlotte, NC. and a number of devoted nieces and nephews. We give special recognition and thanks to members of Hospice for their care and support. In lieu of flowers, the Woody family requests that donations be made to Hospice of Rutherford County. A celebration of Joe's life will be held at First United Methodist Church of Rutherfordton at 2:00 P. M. Saturday, February 16, 2013 with Reverend Jack Knoespel officiating. The family will receive friends in the Family Life Center of the church from 1:00 P.M. till 2:00 P.M. Saturday prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County; P O Box 336; Forest City, N.C. 28043 or to First United Methodist Church; 264 North Main St.; Rutherfordton, N.C. 28139. McMahan's Funeral Home & Cremation Services in charge of arrangements. Guest register at www.mcmahansfuneralhome.com.