Kaylon Woods

THE LIFE & LEGACY OF Kaylon Woods 

Kaylon Rashaad Woods was born in Charleston, South Carolina, to his parents, Ronnie Lee Woods and Belinda Gail (Smith) Woods, of Jacksonville, FL. September 6, 1987. Kay graduated with a degree in Criminal Justice from Ball State University, where he played football for five years, and went on to pursue a meaningful career in social work at DCS. 

Above all his many roles, Kaylon was a father. His children, Jaylon and Kenley, were his greatest pride. Whether he was traveling to New York to celebrate Jay’s National Gold Medal for art or standing on the sidelines as Kenley’s "extreme soccer dad," he poured his entire soul into their happiness. He often said, “The cool thing about being a dad: your heart never stops growing.” He lived that truth every day, showing his children that love has no limits.

 A soulful guide and "teacher of teachers," Kaylon used yoga to build bridges. Through projects like Yoga for Social Justice, he created sanctuaries of healing, teaching that peace within ourselves is the first step toward a better world. In one of his final classes, Kaylon left his students with a prompt that now serves as the blueprint for his own legacy: “What would it look like to exist fully, intentionally, and be in tune with your own body? How might you put that into practice?” Kaylon’s life was the answer to that question. He existed fully. He loved intentionally. And he left the world much brighter than he found it. 

Kaylon is survived by his devoted parents, Ronnie Lee and Belinda Gail Woods; his sister, Mariah Woods; and his beloved children, Jaylon and Kenley. His light continues to shine through his extended family: Jenny, Juan, Naiya, and Khali Gonzalez; Mia Wilson and Courtney Cox; and the entire Clark family. As well as his uncles and aunts Anthony (LaShawn) Woods, Cory Woods, Anthony McGowen, LaShon (Patricia) Smith, Gloria Watkins and one nephew, Ezra Bryant.