Phyllis A. Woods, 86, a resident of Ridinger Lake, Kosciusko County, formerly of South Whitley, died at 5:17 p.m. Sunday, March 20, 2016, at Grace Village Health Care Facility, Winona Lake where she was admitted on Saturday.

She was born Oct. 13, 1929 in Muncie. As a young child, she was taken in and raised by Herman and Beulah (Mae) Markley. She attended elementary school in Portland and graduated from Portland High School in 1948. She furthered her education at Ravencroft Beauty College in Fort Wayne.

She owned and operated a beauty shop in Markle until 1950. After selling, she became a full-time homemaker. In 1963, she started the Curly Cue Beauty Shop in South Whitley and operated it until 1975 when she married Leo R. Woods. The couple moved to Riverside, Calif. In 1980, they returned to South Whitley and in 1995, they moved to Ridinger Lake. Mr. Woods died Dec. 10, 2007.

She was a member of the Eastern Star, Columbia City. She enjoyed both flower and vegetable gardening. She also liked to crochet blankets for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Surviving relatives include a daughter: Laura Fetro of Pierceton; sons: Mark (Pam) Fetro, Fort Wayne; and Greg (Betty) Fetro, South Whitley; a step-daughter: Rebecca A. Woods, Columbia City; seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; and two brothers, Ferd Markley, Champaign, Mich. and Jay Markley of South Carolina.

She was preceded her in death by a brother: Jim Brinson; and a half-brother: John Michael Thomas.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley. Burial will take place at a later date at South Whitley Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon Thursday until the service at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials are to Warsaw Animal League or Great Lakes Hospice.