Elderly siblings die day apart

Published 9:25 pm Thursday, June 30, 2016

Family members of Rebecca Woods, 77, and Jim Woods, 69, agree the brother and sister duo were as close to identical as they could come. Both, Rebecca and Jim, were fun, strong and opinionated people, much like their other eight brothers and sisters.

“When they all got together, it was just like a big comedy,” said Jeanette Moore, Rebecca’s daughter, as she reflected on the two. “But if you were to step on their toes, you were going to know it.”

On Thursday, June 23, Rebecca passed away at Noland Hospital in Montgomery. Jim passed away the following day at Vaughan Regional Medical Center. Both during the noon hour, according to Jeanette.

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Funeral services for Rebecca and Jim will be held at Houston Park Church of Christ at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 2, with minister George Dower officiating. Burial will immediately follow on private land off County Road 17.

Moore said both had experienced some minor health problems at the time, but nothing seemingly severe. She said the losses were a complete shock to the family.

“I think the hardest part for us now is that we can’t believe it happened. We can’t accept the fact they’re gone,” Moore said. “I can’t describe how it feels to not be able to talk, call or hear either one of them again.”

Rebecca and Jim were originally from Alberta, but spent a majority of their lives in Selma.

Rebecca had six children and 25 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

“She cared about the community, she cared about the kids and she just loved people,” Moore said.

Rebecca was instantly a favorite among most people and was known for her tough love.

“When she need to hit you, she’d say, ‘Come over here, let me hit you on your head, boy.’ And I’d bend over and let her hit me on the head,” said Clint Moore, Jeanette’s husband. “That was her main signature. She’d hit you on the head if you did wrong. That was love.”

Jim, although he kept to himself mostly, wasn’t afraid to take charge when he needed.

“They were of the same cloth,” Jeanette said. “Uncle Jim was very opinionated and would stand his ground in a minute.”

Jim worked as a carpenter for many years and will be remembered by his five children and 18 grandchildren.

“Just about everybody knew them,” Jeanette said. “They will be missed, and they are very loved.”