M.J. "Woody" Woodall

M.J. “Woody” Woodall, age 85, of Ocean Springs, passed away peacefully on March 5, 2026—just six days shy of his 86th trip around the sun.

Woody was born a year after the end of the Great Depression, on March 11, 1940, in McComb, to Robert Milton Woodall and Annie Lula Bell Pine Woodall, the youngest of their fifteen children.

Throughout his life, Woody was known as a true jack of all trades. With skilled hands and a strong work ethic, he spent many years working as a carpenter, helping build everything from homes to churches. He also worked as a groundskeeper at The Great Southern Golf Club, where he took pride in ensuring the perfect placement of holes on the green. Later, he found one of his favorite jobs working as a pecan firewood processor for The Shed Barbeque & Blues Joint. No matter the job, Woody’s dedication, humor, and kindness earned him the respect of coworkers and friends alike.

But work was only one part of Woody’s story. When he wasn’t on the job, he could often be found on the waters of Fort Bayou—fishing or throwing his cast net and enjoying the simple peace of the outdoors. He also had a creative side, spending time woodworking and drawing. And if there was music playing, chances were Woody was dancing.

He also had a competitive streak and loved trying his luck at Isle of Capri Casino, where he played Pai Gow poker and blackjack tournaments. Winning often meant something even better than the game itself—a trip to the buffet for his favorites: snow crab legs and boiled crawfish or shrimp. Woody never arrived empty-handed, always bringing along his famous “Special Sauce” for dipping.

More than anything, Woody loved time spent with the people who meant the most to him. He is survived by his BFF, Sandra Necaise; his daughter, Amanda Nicole Woodall; his grandchildren, Morgan Michelle John (David Cook), Emily Marie John, Lauryn Woodall Kennedy (Seth), and Anthony “Logan” Carlo; and his great-grandchildren, Slayed Allen Kennedy and Lucy May Kennedy. He also leaves behind many extended family members and friends who will miss his humor, stories, and presence in their lives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Annie Woodall; his son, David Wayne Woodall; his daughter-in-law, Maranda Graham Woodall; and his fourteen brothers and sisters, including Helen Woodall Graham, the one sibling who accepted him fully as he was.

A memorial service will be held at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning one hour prior. Interment will follow at Crestlawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation, or that you honor Woody’s memory in a simple way: by being yourself and loving all God’s children exactly as they are.

The family would also like to extend heartfelt thanks to the staff at Ocean Springs Hospital and Hospice of Light for the compassionate care they provided to Woody, and for the support shown to his family during this time.

Woody will be remembered for his quick smile, his sense of humor, his dancing feet, and the love he carried for his family. His story lives on in the people who knew him, loved him, and will never forget him.

“See you later, alligator; after a while, crocodile.”

Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of M.J. “Woody” Woodall.