Ellen Clifford Woods

With her children at her bedside on December 28, 2020, at 5:53 pm Ellen Woods shed her earthly bonds to go home to be with her Lord and family in Heaven.  We are certain she is full of joy, comfort, and peace.

Ellen was born in Eustace, Texas on December 23, 1938 to Jessie D Reynolds and Retha Lucille Ashton Reynolds.  Ellen loved her mother dearly but was always a Daddy’s girl.

Ellen was raised in the Henderson County area and moved to East Dallas in her youth.  Ellen went to church and was baptized as a Christian accepting Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. In her later years, she taught bible studies to the residents in the adult care facilities where she resided.

Ellen met and married Johnny Barnes.  Together they had three children, Johnnie Lynn Barnes, Jeffery Dewayne Barnes, and Jack Everett Barnes.  Later in her life, she married Don Woods and together they had one child Christy Deann Woods.  These children were the great loves of her life. Whoa to anyone who would try to harm or disrespect one of them on her watch.

Ellen was a lady of many talents.  Ellen worked her family’s taxi cab company in Athens, TX.  She became a medical care giver.  Ellen obtained her CDL becoming a truck driver “pulling doubles” as far west as California.  Ellen also obtained a degree in Private Investigation becoming a peace officer.

Ellen always had an open door, many times taking in family and friends when they needed help.  She also moved in with family to help with health issues when needed.  Ellen had no prejudices and never had step children or step grandchildren; they were all bonus babies.

Ellen was preceded in death by all of her grandparents and both of her parents, a brother John Edward Reynolds and a sister Ruth Reynolds Palmer.  Ellen is survived by all four of her children, 14 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild, her two younger sisters, Sue Reynolds Potter and Diane Reynolds McCarthy and husband Jack, and an older sister Dorothy Reynolds Whitehouse.  She leaves a multitude of nieces and nephews, all of whom she loved dearly.

The family will be having a private ceremony for her interment.