Martha A. Woods Dixon

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Martha A. Woods Dixon

military wife

Martha A. (Smith) Woods Dixon, 86, of Chatham Circle, Warwick, died at home January 25, 2012 after a prolonged illness. She was the wife of the late Gail Peyton Woods and the late Thomas E. Dixon.

Born in Providence, a daughter of the late James Smith and Clara L. (Cook) Smith McNamara, she lived in Warwick for most of her life. As a devoted military wife, she traveled with her first husband, Gail, to numerous locations, including Guam, Milwaukee, Wis., Hopewell, Va., Vernal, Utah (where her first child, James, was born), Rangley, Colo., Brownsfield, Texas, Lubbock, Texas and Greenup, Ill.

Mrs. Dixon was the president and owner of the former Lad & Lassie Pre-School in Warwick, which she operated for 22 years. She was a past president of the Rhode Island Pre-School Association. Upon her retirement, she and her second husband, Thomas, began spending winters in Florida, where they enjoyed bicycling, golf and other leisure activities.

She was the mother of James H. Woods of West Hollywood, Calif. and the late Michael J. Woods. Both her sons credited their success – her son Michael in business and politics, and her son James in the entertainment industry – to the fierce devotion, support, love and care that she gave to them throughout their lives. She is also survived by a stepdaughter, Barbara Beeman of Madison, Miss.; three grandchildren, Jacquelyn R. Woods, Sarah L. Woods and Peyton J. Woods, all of Warwick; a sister-in-law, Grace P. Smith of Warwick; and her beloved dogs, Angel and Katie. She was the sister of the late Helen Buonanno, Anna Smith and William Smith.

Her funeral was held Jan. 30 from Barrett & Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Ave., Warwick, with a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Peter Church, 350 Fair St., Warwick. Burial was in Pawtuxet Memorial Park, Warwick.