James Randall Woodson Jr.

James Randall Woodson, Jr., beloved husband, father, and grandfather went to be with his Lord and Savior on September 16, 2023 after a 10-month battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.   A memorial service will be held Wednesday, September 20, at First Presbyterian Church of Jackson at 11:00 a.m., preceded by visitation from 9:30-11:00.  A graveside service will follow at 4:00 p.m. at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Macon, Mississippi.

Jim was born in Macon on September 30, 1949 to James Randall and Edna Wilson Woodson.  He was a 1967 graduate of Noxubee County High School and received a degree in Accounting from Mississippi State University in 1971.  Jim and his wife, Ann, both grew up in Macon and were high school sweethearts.   They married on May 30, 1970, while both were students at Mississippi State, and later became the parents of two sons, Randy (1973) and Ben (1977).

Following graduation from college, Jim began his career as a civilian auditor for the U.S. Army Audit Agency based in Atlanta.  He later served as Controller and Chief Financial Officer for companies in Bay Minette, AL and Laurel, MS.  In 1979, he opened an executive search and placement business, Jim Woodson and Associates, which he operated for 40 years until his retirement in 2019.  Jim was active in the community and served as President of the Board of the Greater Jackson Boys and Girls Clubs as well as being a member of the Rotary Club of Jackson.

Jim cherished time spent with his wife and sons and his six grandchildren.  “Pop” always looked forward to family vacations and attending any activity that the grandchildren were involved in.  He was an avid hunter and taught his sons and grandsons to hunt at an early age.  Jim also loved the game of golf, playing since he was a teenager on the high school golf team.  A longtime member of Castlewoods Golf Club, many of his dearest friendships originated on the golf course.  Especially after retirement, he looked forward to playing with his buddies four or five times a week as well as golf trips with them.  Jim was a huge dog lover and the Woodson household was never without them.  He will be greatly missed by his current rescue dogs, Sal and Roxy.

A man of great faith, Jim loved his Lord and trusted Him completely.  This was never more evident than after he was diagnosed with leukemia in November 2022.  Instead of asking “why me,” he asked “why not me” and never complained.  He was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church of Jackson and the Young Seekers Sunday School Class.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Ann Hummer Woodson; sons, Dr. James Randall Woodson, III of Ridgeland, MS and Dr. Benjamin Warren Woodson (Anna) of Gainesville, GA; sister, Karen Woodson Hill (Lowell) of Macon; and grandchildren Ann Stuart, James Randall IV, and Willam McLeod Woodson of Ridgeland, and Anna Elizabeth, Benjamin Wade, and Thomas Jackson Woodson of Gainesville, GA; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 1390 N. State St., Jackson, MS 39202, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or the charity of one’s choice.