Emmett B Woods

Emmett B. Woods was born on October 4,1942 in Houston, Texas to Emmett Woods and Louise Butler Woods. He was the second of five children born to this union. Emmett graduated from Phyllis Wheatly Senior High School. Subsequently, Emmett attended Texas Southern University (TSU) on a track scholarship and met the love of his life, Billie Joyce Davis, the very first day she arrived on campus. He graduated from TSU in 1966 with a degree in Engineering. Emmett’s first engineering job was out of this world! He worked on the design team at Boeing Aerospace (NASA) designing America’s first space shuttle (Apollo 11) that went to the moon. Emmett always knew he would make Billie his bride. Therefore, once his draft deferred assignment ended with Boeing, Billie and Emmett set a date to marry. They married on December 23, 1966.

Emmett was drafted to serve in the Vietnam Conflict three months later. However, he never went to Vietnam because the Army needed his engineering skills in Germany. He served as Army Specialist SP5 Engineer during his military service. Emmett was integral in designing the United States Army Airfield at Frankfurt, Germany. Although Emmett did not see combat during the Vietnam Conflict, he earned the National Defense Service Medal and Expert M-14 Rifle Badge. Emmett served as an Engineer in Germany for two years and received an Honorable Discharge in 1969.

When Emmett returned to the United States, he was immediately hired by Texas Instruments (TI) as an Electromechanical Designer. He left TI to make his foray into teaching and return to school to earn his Masters degree. He taught at Sharpstown High School from 1970-1973 as a Drafting Teacher and Boys’ Track Coach. In 1974 Emmett went back to the private sector and worked at Dresser Industries as an Electromechanical Designer until 1986. In the fall of that year, Emmett did not let the first school bell ring without him behind the teacher’s desk standing ready to mentor and shape young minds again. At Lee High School Emmett taught Computer Drafting/AutoCAD. Also, he enjoyed another opportunity to coach students in his favorite sports, Track and Girls’ Basketball. His track teams were well known for their winning spirit. They won many City-Wide and State-Wide Track Meets. The impact “Coach Woods” had on members of his track team can be seen today. Many of his former students continued a close and meaningful relationship with him, visiting him at home and in the hospital right up to the day he died.

Emmett retired from HISD in 2008, though this retirement was short-lived. In 2010 Emmett decided to serve adults. He became Intake Counselor and Director at the Job Training Institute (North Campus) in Houston. This institution provided services for Military Veterans. Emmett was pivotal in helping Veterans receive educational funding and training to improve their lives. He served in this position from 2010-2013 and permanently retired after this stint.

Emmett and Billie enjoyed sixty years of wedded bliss. In 1971 their son, Ronald Bernard Woods was born. Emmett and Billie were also blessed to have met and mentored a young girl, Carla Chase, while he was teaching and coaching at Lee High School. They refer to her as their daughter by God. Carla’s loving nickname for Emmett was “Daddy-Yo.”

Emmett and Bille traveled the world together. They cruised, camped, sailed, jet skied, and boated with family and friends. Emmett was passionate about bowling. He started bowling during his college years and bowled up to four weeks before his death. Emmett was a member of the Greater Houston Bowling Association where he participated on the “Bragging Rights” bowling team, National and Southern Regional teams. He also bowled with the Postal Federal Tournament team in Ohio, Canada, and Kentucky. Emmett participated in the Texas State Men’s Senior Tournament and the Military Bowling Championship in Las Vegas. During his bowling career Emmett achieved a bowler’s dream, which is to bowl a perfect 300. Actually, he bowled a perfect game at least 10 times and won many awards!

Emmett was baptized as a teenager at Fifth Ward Church of Christ. He and the family regularly participated in the Crusades for Christ that took place in different states and cities. He sang with the male acapella group and was known for his melodious vocals. Emmett and Billie transferred their membership to Westbury Church of Christ in 1975 after moving to southwest Houston. They have been faithful members at Westbury for 51 years.

Emmett was preceded in death by his father, Emmett Woods; mother, Louise Butler Woods, and sister Joan Woods Jackson. He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Billie; son, Ronald B. Woods; his daughter by God, Dr. Carla Chase; sisters, Gwendolyn Woods Wooten (Robert), Beverly Woods Toussaint (Rodney), and brother, Reginald Woods (Stephanie). He also leaves to mourn his passing three grandchildren Symone Harcum, Ronald Woods Jr., and Stephon Woods along with six great-grandchildren; three sisters-in-law, Alberta Yvonne Davis Jones, Marie A. Davis Hammond (Roy), Carolyn Davis Riley and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.