John "Big John" Woods

Leonville- A PENDING Service will be held for John "Big John" Woods, a beloved figure whose presence brought warmth and joy to all who knew him. Big John, passed away on April 8, 2026, peacefully at his home surrounded by the love of his family. Born on October 8, 1959, in the small town of Dilley, Texas, John’s life was a testament to the rich simplicity and heartfelt connections that define true community and family.

Big John is survived by his wife of 47 years, Brenda Joy Woods of Leonville; son, John Jacob Woods of Leonville; daughters, Michelle Renee Fontenot of Leonville, Jade Woods Guise of Port Barre, and Amber Lea Stelly of Grapeland, TX; brother, Steve Edward Woods of Gordonville,TX; sisters, Kimberly Marie Bush of Weatherford, TX and JoAnn Ida Dobbins of Granbury, TX; 9 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild.

Big John is preceded in death by his parents, Edward Woods and Dorothy Ann Woods.

John, better known as “Big John,” loved his family above all else, along with a good game of pool and any excuse to cook for a crowd. Raised in Texas and later settling in Louisiana, he perfected a gumbo recipe that rivaled his native in-laws, while never surrendering his claim to a proper Texas chili.

A homebuilder by trade and a craftsman by nature, John had a rare talent for working with his hands. He created custom furniture pieces often with intricate geometric inlays, each one reflecting his patience, precision and pride in his work.

Big John had a gift for bringing stories to life. His animated, hilarious accounts of his younger years became the stuff of family legend. Those closest to him can still see it all as if they had been there themselves—building speaker boxes for Stevie Ray Vaughan, partying with ZZ Top, and that one time he had to drop his Trans-Am into low gear...

Though he often referred to himself as an “outlaw,” he was a man of deep kindness and a contagious love of life. He taught his children to aim higher than him and never place limits on what they could achieve, while reminding them that life is meant to be lived, not just worked away.

Big John leaves behind a legacy of grit, humor, and heart that will live on through his family. Though he will be deeply missed, his loved ones can imagine him now, cutting a rug on heaven’s dance floor.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas .

Floral Arrangements may be sent directly to his wife by request through Wanda’s Florist in Opelousas, LA.