Wava Jean Woods

Our beloved mother, Wava Jean Woods, 79, of Ethel, Mississippi, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2026, at her residence. Visitation for friends and family will be held from 1:30 p.m. to 2: 30 p.m., Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Jordan Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 2: 30 p.m., Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Jordan Funeral Home Chapel with burial at Carson Ridge Cemetery. Brad Adcock will officiate the services.

Wava was born on June 4, 1946, to Ezekiel Lee Hampton and Flora Dendy in Arkansas. She left Arkansas to stay with family in Mississippi. Wava worked at Garen, Inc. She helped her husband log. She was a baby sitter, homemaker, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Wava loved sewing and cooking for herself and others. She had a kind heart and donated to March of Dimes. She donated baby quilts, and walker bags to multiple hospitals, nursing homes, and schools. She also gave to teachers needing clothing and supplies for children.

Wava’s hobbies included gardening, sewing, quilting, cooking, and reading. She kept the family supplied with oven baked beef stew, chocolate chip cookies, banana pudding, Million dollar pound cakes, sugar cookies, fudge, and cinnamon rolls. She supplied her son with enough cookies to feed his entire unit while he was overseas. Her daughter’s classroom was often surprised with a sweet snack. She often gave snacks to friends, family, and random acquaintances. Her favorite snacks were vanilla Oreos and Lays chips. That she may have hid in her secret spots occasionally, safe from all. Wava was a member of Oakridge Church of Christ.

Wava was one of the strongest Mississippi Zebras. Her strength and faith will be remembered by her family.

Wava is survived by her husband, James (Ed) Woods of Ethel, Mississippi; daughter, Marylyn (Shawn) Miller of Ethel, Mississippi; son, David (Sandra Diehl) Woods of Ethel, Mississippi; grandchildren, Nikki (Cherie) Nichols, Conner Miller, Lillian (Rodney) Poindexter, Bee (Ash Carroll) Miller, Matthew Woods; great-granddaughter, Alaya McDonald; brother, Ray Hampton; and sisters-in-law, Wanda Hampton, and Joyce Woods.

She was preceded in death by her son, Kevin Woods, brother, Bill Hampton, sister-in-law, Sharon, brother-in-law, Arlis Woods, and nephew, Sawyer Armstrong.

Serving as pallbearers are David Woods, Jeff Woods, Stoney Armstrong, Matt Lee, Larry Black, and Mike Johnson. Honorary pallbearers Shawn Miller, Connor Miller, Matthew Woods, Rodney Poindexter, and Novice Adam’s.

Memorials may be made to The ALS Association and Ehlers Danlos Association.