Memorial Service for Robert L. Woody Who Died in France Oct. 2, 1918

From The Review, High Point, N.C., Thursday, May 15, 1919. Robert L. Woody was born April 21, 1894, in Person County and died October 2, 1918, in France. He’s memorial is in Bethel Hill Baptist Church Cemetery, N.C. This image is from www.findagrave.com.

Memorial Service Is Held for a Soldier of Guilford

Memorial services were held for Robert L. Woody, son of Mrs. Fannie Woody at Bethel Hill near Roxboro. He was wounded on September 30 and died in a hospital October 2.

Young Woody was a prosperous farmer in Guilford county prior to his enlistment and had won for himself many friends in Guilford, having gone there from Person where he was well known and much loved by many. Every seat was filled and many others stood near the door to hear what was said to honor the memory of one who had so nobly and willingly given his life in the cause of world liberty.

L.M. Carlton and W.D. Merritt, both prominent attorneys of Roxboro, spoke, each declaring that it was the duty of all to ever honor the memory of our dead heroes.

Then H.W. Reynolds of Guilford county told of his last conversation with Bob on the street in Greensboro, and of having known him for four years in his adopted home, and of the clean life he had lived while in the Centre community in Guilford. Next was a touching talk by J.A. Beam, who told of having known him in the school room and who was his pastor for eight years.

A number of short talks were made by friends of the deceased. A solo entitled “Our Boys in Khaki” by Miss Evie Street was a beautiful feature of the service; also two quartettes, “Have Faith in God,” and “Going Down the Valley,” sung by H.W. Reynolds, L.E. Rockett, Scott Hodgins and DeWitt Richardson, all of Guilford county.

Just before the close of the service, Miss Gertrude Richardson recited “Oh, Why Should the Spirit of Mortal Be Proud?” Then the soldier boys, numbering about 50, marched to the monument, taking their stand by a United States flag and forming an aisle, then came the floral bearers, 26 girls, the most of whom were cousins of the dead soldier. The monument bore this inscription:

He heard humanity’s clear call

   And knew the voice divine;

He gave his life, he gave his all,

   In deadly battle line.

The silent stars in love look down

   Where lies this loyal son;

In frost and dew they weave a crown

   Of honor he has won.

Those who attended from Guilford were Garnet Otwell, Joe Hodgin, Scot Hodgin, Herbert Reynolds, DeWitt Richardson, L.E. Rockett, Miss Lita Hodgin and Gertrude Richardson.