The Charlie Woods Memorial Scholarship was established in 2013 by friends and family of Woods. It will be used to help students enrolling in Panola College’s petroleum technology program.
Charlie Woods was born on May 15, 1954. He was the oldest of four children born to Lonnie Drew Woods and Virginia Spurlock Woods. Growing up he was active in 4-H and FFA. He was also very involved in his father’s cattle ranch and enjoyed and participated in team roping events.
Charlie graduated from Carthage High School in 1972. He attended Panola College before entering a Ranch Management Program at Texas Christian University. Following graduation Charlie worked most of his life in the oilfield. He also was a longtime member of Southside Baptist Church.
Charlie was an avid fisherman. His love of the sport began at an early age when he fished with his “Papaw” Spurlock. He enjoyed bird hunting with his father and squirrel hunting but he always loved fishing.
Charlie fished the FLW Wal-Mart Bass Fishing League where he won first place in one of the tournaments on the Texas Tournament Trail. He also took first place in the Texas Oilman’s Tournament and the Louisiana Oilman’s Tournament. He and Harley Wilson also won a boat at the Toledo Bend Classic tournament. Charlie was also a member of the Carthage Bass Fishing League. He particularly loved the fishing trips with his friends to Lake Falcon in South Texas on the Texas – Mexico border. His plans were to eventually travel to Brazil to fish for Peacock Bass.
At the time of Charlie’s death, two of his friends, Harley Wilson and Nat Lankford, expressed their intentions to have a memorial fishing tournament to honor their friend. Charlie loved to help people so it was decided that any proceeds would go to a scholarship to help a deserving student at Panola College.
On Saturday May 4, 41 bass fishing teams set out on a very cold morning at Toledo Bend Lake with the intention of winning the first Charlie Woods Memorial Fishing Tournament. At 3 pm each team returned to submit their catch for weigh-in. The winning team was comprised of Harley Wilson and Chris Smith. They had caught five bass with a combined weight of 14.30 lbs. The second place team was Gary and Kyle Turner, third place went to Lynn and Lee Graves, the fourth spot was claimed by Anthony and Ryan Hartley, and the team of Don Matthews and John Tilbury took fifth place. The tournament raised approximately $30,000. These funds were used to establish an endowed scholarship at Panola College to honor the memory of Charlie Woods. Funds raised at the Tournament will also be used to provide additional scholarships to area students based on financial need.
The Charlie Woods Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually. The selection of the recipient will be made in the spring each year.