Alma Mercedes Woods

Alma Mercedes Woods, 74, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away on June 17, 2024. She was born on July 13, 1949, in McAllen, Texas, to Mercedes and Aurora Lopez. 

Alma dedicated her life to teaching. Her last 8 years at Washington were the best years of her teaching career. Her students and her became family. She retired after 25 years of teaching. 

Besides being a teacher, Alma was an adventuress. She travelled by herself through the majority of South America. She lived in Costa Rica for a year where she worked as an ESL teacher, and studied literature at the University of Costa Rica. “Why? You might ask. Just to see if I could do it.”

Alma’s latest adventure was on her 65th birthday. She went water rafting at Wildwater Ocoee, TN. Her first reaction was “Oh, sh__, what did I get myself into”, but after getting in the water, her stomach and heart settled down. It was a challenge, but fun. She would do it again in an instant. 

Alma was also a marathon runner. In 2013, she ran her first marathon and finished with a smile. She had planned her second marathon last year, but God had other plans for her. Lately, she had started to work out and was hoping to do a 5k. 

“My life has been an adventure with many challenges and especially with my last adventure with Leukemia. This adventure has taught me two important lessons – to be at peace with myself, and to enjoy life.”

Alma is survived by her husband, Dr. Nelson Woods I; sons Nelson (Kim) Woods II and Thomas Hager; and grandchildren, Alana Montgomery, Xavier Woods, Zoey Woods, Zaavan Woods, and Maverick Woods. 

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Monday, July 29, from 10 am to 12 noon, with a Memorial Service to follow at 12 noon, at University United Methodist Church, 5959 Grandview Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46228. Alma's final resting place will be at Union Chapel Cemetery in Indianapolis.