With broken hearts and profound love, we share the passing of our beloved Phillip Andrew Woods, age 41, who left this world on June 24, 2025, after a brave and relentless battle with stage 4 cancer. Andrew passed peacefully, surrounded by his family and held up by the strength of a community who loved him beyond measure.

Andrew was a man of service — both in heart and in profession. As a Detective with the Union County Sheriff’s Office and a volunteer firefighter, he spent his life quietly protecting and caring for others. His steady hands, kind heart, and unwavering integrity made him someone people trusted — and someone they deeply loved. Andrew was passionate about fishing, golfing, travel, he was a motorcycle enthusiast, loved the outdoors and had a serious love/hate relationship with the Tennessee Volunteers!

From the moment of his diagnosis, Andrew was never alone. He was surrounded by love — the kind that shows up, stays late, and never lets go. His mother, brothers, sisters, extended family, coworkers, neighbors, and countless friends walked beside him every step of this journey. His law enforcement family became his fiercest cheerleaders — hosting multiple fundraisers to support his treatment costs and, in one unforgettable moment, organizing a lights and sirens parade for his birthday, filling the road with love, sirens, and tears of joy for a man who had given so much to his community. We are thankful for so many to mention by name, the list would be endless.

In the final months of his life, Andrew was lovingly cared for by his brother Tim Woods, sister-in-law Chrissie Woods, and nephew Gavin Woods, along with his loyal pup Oakley, who all welcomed him into their home so he could be close to care and surrounded by unwavering love. His mother also took up residence in Tim and Chrissie’s motor home during this time, ensuring that she could remain by his side, caring for him daily with the strength and tenderness only a mother can give. These months, though unimaginably hard, were also full of sacred family memories — Wednesday night pizza dinners, relaxing in the hot tub, movie nights, and quiet, heartfelt moments of togetherness.

Andrew’s beloved blue tick hound, Sue, rarely left his side. During treatment, she was warmly embraced by his brother Jason, sister-in-law Ashley, nephews Hayden and Hudson, extended nephew Conner, and fur cousins Archie and Ellis, where she continued to be cherished just as she had always cherished Andrew.
We are especially thankful for his loving neighbors, Kristy and Scott Inklebarger, who have truly become part of our family. Their constant presence, support, and compassion during this difficult time have meant the world to us.
We’re also incredibly grateful for the amazing and loving care teams at Parkwest Medical Center. The nurses, doctors, and staff went above and beyond to care for him with such kindness, dignity, and respect—we will never forget their dedication and the comfort they provided.

Andrew gave deeply — not just through his work, but through the way he lived. He showed up when others needed him. He offered his time, his laughter, his strength, and his heart. His legacy is one of quiet courage, humble leadership, fierce loyalty, and unconditional love.

Preceded in death by his beloved father and best friend, Randy Wayne Woods; grandparents, Claude Elmer and Ollie Minga Woods, and Doris Sue Jones; his cherished fur baby, Neyland Woods.

Survived by his loving mother and stepfather, Cathy Humphreys Woods and J. Gordon Belcher; Aunt “Sharron” and Uncle “Gino” Johnson; brothers and sisters-in-love, Jason W. and Ashley A. Woods, and Timothy A. and Chrissie Woods; sister and her fiancé, Sarah V. Clark and Matthew T. McBath; proud uncle to nephews, Hayden S. Woods, Peyton G. Clark, Gavin P. Woods, and Hudson M. Woods; also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings in love, extended family, and dear friends whose lives he touched deeply.

Family will receive friends from 4:00PM-7:00PM with a Final Call and Celebration of Life to follow at 7:00PM on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the Union County High School Auditorium. All who knew and loved Andrew are invited to gather and honor the life of a man who gave so much and asked so little.

Lights and Sirens Honorary + Motorcycle Precession: 3:15PM; Union County; Lining up on northbound of Maynardville HWY, Knox/Union County Line (Open to the public)

The evening will include a lights and sirens procession led by law enforcement and fire departments, followed by a motorcycle procession organized by the Defenders Motorcycle Chapter, in which Andrew proudly participated. These powerful tributes will lead into an emotional Last Call ceremony, with honors given by the Union County Sheriff’s Department and the Sharp’s Chapel Volunteer Fire Department — offering final, sacred farewells from his service families.

In lieu of flowers In honor of Andrew’s wishes, donations may be made to the Sharp’s Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, his beloved fire family. To donate you can go to www.sharpschapelvd.org or mailing address Sharp Chapel Fire Department P.O. Box 83, Sharps Chapel, TN 37866. Make checks payable to SCVFD. A tribute display will be set up during the Celebration of Life to recognize all who have donated in his memory, and guests will have the opportunity to contribute in person that day.

Andrew may have laid down his badge and helmet, but his legacy lives on — in the people he protected, the lives he lifted, and the immense love he left behind. He lived his days with purpose and left this world surrounded by the same love he gave so freely.

We know he’s already fishing with Dad, somewhere full of light and peace, watching over us with that quiet smile.

Forever #AndrewStrong

May we all strive to #LoveLikeAndrew

Arrangements by Gentry Griffey Funeral Chapel & Crematory, Celebration of Life by Cooke-Campbell Mortuary.