May Lilie Woods of Chase, MI passed away peacefully at her home at the age of 83 on Monday, July 6, 2026.

Lilie, as she was known to most, was born on August 4, 1942, to parents Gladys (Batchelder) and John Woods in Nirvana Michigan.  She grew up as the youngest of 10 children, having four brothers and five sisters.  She attended school in her early years at the Nirvana School house and graduated from Baldwin High School.

Most of her life was spent living on the family farm, only spending a short time away from the farm in Muskegon, Michigan where she and her sisters went to stay with their brother John during the war to attend school.  She returned to Nirvana to live and work while enjoying her passions of all thing’s woodworking, hunting, fishing, camping, gardening, and horseback riding or driving her team of horses. She had a constant faith in God that she attributed to her mother’s upbringing and shared her belief with all who would listen.

She spent many hours with her family researching and building a stagecoach they could take in the Bicentennial parades in 1976 and in the years after. They enlisted many family members to participate as outriders, drive the coach with her team of horses, ride inside and take photos along the route. All of their efforts paid off with the trophies they won and ribbons brought home. Even after giving up taking the coach in parades, she still enjoyed having a good team of horses so she could take the family on hayrides and sleigh rides at family gatherings.

Funeral services will be held at Pruitt Livingston Funeral Home in Reed City, Michigan on Saturday, July 11, 2026, at 12:00 pm with visitation prior to the service from 11:00am-12:00pm.  Graveside service immediately to follow at Chase Township Cemetery (located at the corner of East 64th St and S. Hawkins Rd.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to the Chase Fellowship Church Benevolence fund; PO Box 61, Chase, MI 49623.