Lumbee Legend - Noah Woods
Mr. Noah Woods was a graduate of Pembroke State University (1962) and received his masters from East Carolina (1972) while starting his career in public education in 1962 until he retired (in July 2000). He was extremely proud of his educational opportunity as it opened the door for him to do other great things in life.
“Oxendine School was the first school where my dad taught and he would later become the principle of that same school – which he was proud of” according to the family. “Dad’s parents were tenant farmers and as he got older, he worked as a postal person in a country store in Wakulla. He churched at Cherokee until he got married and then started going to United Methodist. Dad also coached little league for 28 years and he loved it. He served this community his entire life.”
Mr. Woods spent almost thirty years as a Robeson County Commissioner and would serve as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners from 2006 through 2015. His most well-known saying was “He loved the Great State of Robeson.” Mr. Noah’s vision for a better Robeson County led him to advocate across the state and on every level for his fellow citizens. He served as president of the NC Association of County Commissioners in 2003. While he was president, community members remarked how he would visit every county in the state to make sure those counties were taken care of. He had a sincere desire for Robeson County to be included (on every state level) in a more collaborative approach to county government and our ability to work with others.
Today, people all across Robeson County continue to benefit from Mr. Noah’s vision. He was instrumental in the construction of the Robeson County Emergency Operations Center (EOC). He also played a key role in the construction of the new Robeson County Department of Social Services building and the remodeling of the old DSS building to bring a number of county services under one roof thereby creating what he would call a “One stop shop” for citizens.
Among other activities, he served as chairman of the county Board of Health, was a longtime member and committee chair/officer of the Pembroke Jaycees, a founder of the Riverside Country Club in Pembroke and a member of the Board of Directors of the Robeson County Historical Drama.
Dad would always start any presentation with a prayer and the Jaycee Creed as he was serious about both. He was an educator and public servant, who was committed to making a difference in the life of anyone he met. He was extremely active in his local church, welcoming and acknowledging others’ testimonies and prayer concern, while continuously financially supporting children and others who desired to participate in local and outside church missions and activities.
Mr. Woods was the definition of a “true legend” within our community.