DECATUR - Wesley Matthew Woodson, lover of life and freedom, died Friday, October 15th, early in the evening, the result of a tragic vehicle accident on Friend's Creek Rd. near Highway 10. His loving friend and companion for over this past year, Gabby Rhodes of DeWitt, daughter of Danny and Sheila Austin, was also with him at the time. She sustained injuries and was released from the hospital Saturday. Born on January 7, 1990 in Decatur, Wes lived in Dalton City until he was 9. He attended Mt. Zion Grade School. During that time, he was a Cub Scout. His sister, Amanda Marie Woodson, preceded him in death. She was killed by a drunk driver in 1994. Also preceding him were his grandmother, Patricia "Annie" Risley; grandfather, Harry Hugh Woodson; step-grandfather Wayne Baker; aunt, Ruth Hammer; uncle, Steven Bert Woodson; and his uncle Wayne's wife, Clarrise "Candie" DeRenne. His father, Terry Woodson and his wife Patricia, along with his Grandmother Olla Baker and step-sister, Mickey Michelle Whiteman Closs, her children Baylee and Brayden, all of Decatur, his uncle Wayne D. Woodson and friend, Sheila Jane Lund, of Georgetown continue to remember the precious times with him. His mother, Kathy Risley, Uncle Richard and wife, Carmen Risley, of Decatur, Dan and wife, Teddy Risley of Cherokee Village, AR, and Sam and wife, Denise Risley of Foosland, and Grandfather Robert "Bob" Risley mourn this sudden loss. Jeff Higgins of Chatanooga, TN, stepfather; and step-sister Kenica and husband Brooks Fonner of Champaign; and step-brother Thomas Rae Higgins of Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais are part of his growing up years at Clinton.
Published in Decatur Herald & Review on October 19, 2010