Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – May 14, 2024 – Rennell Woods, a dedicated community leader and advocate for youth, has died.
His commitment to empowering youth was evident through his various endeavors and leadership roles in the community.
Following his football pursuits at a young age, Woods returned to Jonesboro and immersed himself in volunteer work at Arkansas State University, where he played a pivotal role in developing a life skills curriculum for students. His passion for creating opportunities for young people led him to CityYouth Ministries in 2003, where he found a perfect alignment of his interests in sports and youth development.
As the Executive Director of CityYouth Ministries, Woods spearheaded initiatives aimed at providing after-school and summer tutoring, recreation, and mentorship programs to local children. Under his leadership, CityYouth was recognized as Arkansas Business Nonprofit Organization of the Year in 2009.
In addition to his role at CityYouth Ministries, Woods served on the board of the Arkansas Out of School Network, received the 2008 Arkansas Nonprofit Business of the Year Award, the 2008 Rotary Vocational Excellence Award, and the 2007 Omni Peace and Justice Heroes Award, Leadership Jonesboro, Leadership Arkansas, and many others.
Woods served on the Jonesboro City Council from 2009-2016, including service on the Advertising & Promotion Commission, Finance & Administration Council Committee, Nominating & Rules Committee, and Public Services Committee.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Woods was known for his generosity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to making a difference in the lives of others. He leaves behind a legacy of service and inspiration that will continue to impact generations to come.
Former Mayor Harold Perrin was saddened to hear of his passing, “Rennell was a dear friend of mine. I’ve known him for many years. He was a fine Christian man, a family man. He was on City Council for many years and always worked on projects that would help Jonesboro and our youth. I am certainly going to miss him.”
Rennell Woods will be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues, and the countless individuals whose lives he touched with his kindness and dedication.
Mayor Copenhaver released a statement regarding Woods, “We are deeply saddened to learn of Rennell Wood’s passing this morning. Rennell was a man of strong faith, advocate, an advisor, and most importantly a dear friend to me and many neighbors in in our community. As both a community leader and City Council member his focus was improving the lives of the youth in our city with dedication and love. His contributions to our community will live on through the lives he touched. I ask that everyone keep the Woods family in their thoughts and prayers and remember all that he contributed to our community.”
A memorial service to celebrate Rennell Woods’ life and legacy will be planned and announced soon.