Homer V. Wood, 74, second-generation Draper businessman, gained his heavenly wings at 6:17 a.m. Friday, March 25, 2016, at Moses H. Cone Hospital in Greensboro following a brief illness.
Homer was the son of the late W.K. “Bill” and Virgie Rakes Wood. He grew up in Draper and, like many citizens from the era of the three communities of Leaksville, Spray and Draper, still called Draper his hometown. Homer attended Draper Elementary School and graduated in 1958 from Morehead High School.
His father started the Railroad Cafe right beside the railroad tracks on North Main Street in 1957. In 1959, his father told him he needed help in the restaurant and Homer started what would be his lifetime career. It was while working in that cafe alongside his father that Homer learned the work ethics and personal principals that would mold the rest of his life.
In 1970, Homer took over the business and operated it until 2014 when he transferred ownership to his daughter, Wendy Wood Lewis.
However, Homer still was a regular at the establishment. He often filled in when an employee was out or he just dropped by to say hello to the people who had been coming to eat there for many years.
People always knew that Homer was there to help anyone he could. In the 1980s, a man everyone called “Little Willie,” showed up one day – cold and hungry. Homer and his father gave the man a meal and began talking to him. Although no one every really knew where Little Willie came from, Homer always believed he was riding on a train and just happened to hop off next to the cafe.
Willie told Homer he would be happy to wash dishes or do whatever he could to pay for his meal. After further conversation, Homer offered the man a job. He also settled him in a small apartment in a building adjacent to the cafe. Willie was a fixture there for years and Homer always made certain he had food, clothing and medical care. Little Willie died in the 1990’s.
The cafe was a long-time popular gathering place for area residents as well as people who traveled from other areas just to come in and enjoy the atmosphere and the home cooking.
When they weren’t too busy, Homer would be seen walking from booth to booth or table to table, conversing with his customers. He always knew when they were facing family difficulties such as illness, etc. and he never failed to ask. On the other hand, Homer loved to tease people and often gave his customers nicknames. His laughter rang out throughout the building whenever he was able to pull a trick on someone or someone told him a joke. Homer was full of yarns – especially about the history of Draper. He knew most of the residents on a first-name basis.
Homer was a lifelong lover of Bluegrass music and attended festivals and concerts throughout the area up until he became ill. He attended the Barn on a weekly basis to listen to the Bluegrass bands that played there and also had Bluegrass bands come play at the Railroad over the years. He also was a big NASCAR fan and had posters and personal pictures of many of the drivers.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 pm on Monday, March 28, at First United Methodist Church of Draper with burial to follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Family will receive visitors at 4:00 pm till 7:00 pm, Sunday, March 27 at Fair Funeral Home.
In the 1980s, the cafe was a stopping-off point for race drivers and their teams when they were racing in Martinsville. In fact, the wives of Dave Marcis’ team often would come in and cook big pots of spaghetti on Saturdays and people came from a wide area to enjoy meeting and talking to Marcis and other NASCAR personnel that night.
Homer also supported many organizations throughout the community. The generosity extended to Draper Elementary, Morehead High School, the Eden Rescue Squad where Jason is now Chief, Relay for Life, and other organizations and to people who would leave donation jars at the counter when raising money for others. In addition, Homer was a long-time donor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“No one will ever know how much he spent helping others,” said his oldest son, Jason.
In 2012, Homer joined First United Methodist Church of Draper and was a regular at the various services. In 2013, he was named Methodist Man of the Year.
About two weeks before his surgery, Homer told a friend that he was the happiest he had been in his life.
Surviving are, mother of his children, Judy Kennon Wood, his daughter, Wendy Wood Lewis of Eden; sons, Jason Landon Wood and wife, Tracy, of Eden, Casey Vernon Wood and wife, Brittan of Greensboro; four grandchildren, Jesse Lee Travis and wife, Kristen, of Jackson, Tenn., Katie “Belle” Raines and husband, Porter, of Eden, Brooke Nicole Byrd and Haley Michelle Byrd, of Eden; three great-grandchildren, Javen Marcel Chandler and Jordan Lee Chandler, of Eden, Jesse Levi Travis of Jackson, Tenn.; brother George Bud Wood, and wife Sarah, of Reidsville, Marcine Wood Gray, and the late George Gray, of Kernersville, sister Virginia Wood Rose, and husband Glenn, of Burlington, bother-in-law Pete Dunn and his wife Garnett, of Eden, sister-in-law, Lorene Blackwell Wood, of Eden, brother-in-law, David Walker, of Eden, Homer’s “little lady” friend, Linda Cassell, of Eden.
Homer was predeceased in death by his parents William Kane Wood and Virgie Rakes Wood, sister, Rachel Wood Walker, brother, Phillip Ray “Bunky” Wood, sister, Patricia Wood Dunn, granddaughter, Kayleigh Jess Travis.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donation be made to one of the following: First United Methodist Church of Draper and Eden Rescue Squad.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.fairfuneralhome.com.
