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Obituary For Derrick Lanardo Woody
Derrick Lanardo Woody, the son of Tommy Woody and Sarah Woody, was born on February 11, 1971 and departed this life on July 14, 2020, at his residence in Washington, DC.
A private viewing for immediately family will be held on Friday, July 24, 2020 from 5:00 pm until 6:00 pm at the mortuary. The family has requested potted floral arrangements. At an early age, Derrick joined the Mount Hermon Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Louis Upshaw where he attended Sunday School and was a member of the Upshaw Choir
Derrick grew up in West Shawmut, AL. He attended Shawmut Elementary School through 4th grade and later attended the Lanett School system through 6th grade. After a family move, Derrick attended junior high and high school in Valley, AL. He was actively involved in a number of student organizations and founded and became the first editor of Valley High School’s RamPage newspaper. He eventually graduated third in his senior class in 1989.
Throughout his youth, Derrick was fascinated by different cultures and the arts, including painting, drawing, singing and a broad range of others. This interest grew and inevitably influenced Derrick’s interest in architecture and construction. After high school, Derrick attended Talladega College, on a full scholarship, to study engineering and mathematics, but eventually transferred into Architecture at Auburn University. He graduated with honors in 1994 with a Bachelor of Architecture. In the last two years of the five-year architecture program, Derrick became keenly interested in working creatively and methodically to improve and change problems at the urban scale, with a particular interest in the transformation of historically African American communities. He pursued this at Harvard University Graduate School of Design and graduated with a Master of Architecture in Urban Design in 1996.
Derrick worked in a number of capacities including economic development, urban design, affordable housing, and community organization in Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts, New York City, Palm Beach, FL, and Washington DC. His expertise was sought after for consulting stints in South Africa through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and in Romania through the World Bank. More robust positions involving large scale redevelopment were offered in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Detroit, Michigan.
Derrick began his work in Washington, DC in 2000. In Washington, he lead the successful transformation of the long under-invested H Street corridor, Georgia Avenue, McMillan Sand Filtration Site, Walter Reed Army Medical Center Campus, Capitol Gateway, Rhode Island Avenue NE and a long list of others. He championed the redevelopment of the historic Howard Theatre, one of the nation’s oldest theaters built to showcase the artistry of African American and Black artists from Duke Ellington to Diana Ross and today’s performing artists. The Howard now anchors the eastern end of a now vibrant African American cultural district.
His work in Washington began in the city’s Office of Planning and ended in 2011 in the DC Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED). In DMPED, Derrick was credited with founding and initial direction of the citywide Great Streets program. Great Streets has leveraged substantial revitalization of major corridors across the city. Derrick’s work with DC’s Office of Planning and DMPED collectively resulted in the development of billions of dollars in neighborhood improvements, including over 16,000 new affordable and mixed income housing units, 1.5 million square feet of retail, and 12 acres of parks.
Derrick was Chief Executive Officer of DLW LLC, a real estate and land use advisory firm. The firm’s work included and ongoing consultation to revitalize H Street, Bladensburg Road NE, Benning Road NE and others. He also served as a senior project management and government relations advisor for a catalytic mixed-use project in the Anacostia neighborhood, located in DC’s poorest wards.
Beginning in 2015, Derrick served on the board of directors for City Blossoms, a nonprofit dedicated to fostering healthy communities by developing creative, kid-driven green spaces where a unique brand of gardens, science, art, healthy living, and community building are applied. City Blossom “blossoms” in neighborhoods where kids, their families, and neighbors may not otherwise have access to green spaces.
Derrick was extremely interested in travel and was often seeking new and exotic destinations. Some of his travels included Istanbul, Turkey, Fort-de-France, Martinique, Vancouver, British Columbia, Montreal, Canada, Cape Town, South Africa, Barcelona, Spain, La Paz, Bolivia and a host of other locations around the globe. Through travel, he learned about other cultures and cities, and those experiences influenced his body of work. Many of those travels were captured through Derrick’s avid interest in photography.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Nathan and Carrie Flournoy, Booker T. (Mary Lee) Woody, and Lillian (Oscar) Dunn and many other relatives and friends.
His life memories will be cherished by mother Sarah Woody, of Lanett AL; and father Tommy Lee Woody of Lanett; his sisters, Toni (Jerome) Walker and Cathy Woody Turner, both of Lanett, AL; brother, Sterling (Tameka) Woody, Raleigh, NC; uncles, Roosevelt (Louise) Flournoy, Charlie (Corinthian) Woody, John T. (Patricia) Woody, Lanett, AL, Lee (Deborah) Woody, Atlanta, GA; aunts, Shirley (Sammie) Cleaves, Atlanta, GA, Sarah Dunn, Lanett, AL, Mary Dell Williams, Boston, MA, Marion Marshall and Barbara Rowe, Lanett, AL, Martha Thomas, Greenville, NC, Linda Flournoy Peterson, Lanett, AL ; nephews, Phidoski (Erica) Woody, Jamario Turner, Sterling Woody II; nieces, Shakera Stiggers, Aerial Woody, and Aysia Woody; Great nephews, Kaiden and Giaxon Woody; great nieces, Khyli Arrington and Kamryn Lockhart and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
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I would like to offer my sincere condolences to the Woody Family. What a loss and words alone cannot sustain you. I worked with Derrick at the DC Office of Planning where I learned so much from him in a short period of time. Even after he left OP we would get together occasionally to "chew the fat". He always had some wonderful stories to tell and experiences to share. I miss you in this space but God knows best. My prayers will continually go up on behalf of your family and friends.
Words fail me for your loss & that it took so long for me to find out what happened to Derrick. It will be difficult visiting DC with the knowledge that I will not see him again. Rest in peace my friend. -Chris Wilcox (London - UK)
In honor of my longtime friend, I lift you up before the LORD as he has called you home to be with him. My condolences to your family and friends. Derrick and I have been friends for over 15 years since we met here in Washington, DC. Our friendship reflects Hebrews 13:1, "Let Brotherly Love Continue."
Condolences to the Woody Family. It was a pleasure working with Derrick at DMPED.
Our sincere condolences to the family! Derrick, Rest In Peace. Derrick was my dear friend and confident (Daniel). He was my best man at my wedding in Chicago (2011) and visited us few times since. I have known him since 2000 in Washington, DC and we've been neighbors (1 block apart) till 2009 when I moved to Chicago. We spoke almost everyday for hours. I am struggling with this sad news, but I trust he is in HEAVEN with THE LORD! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Sending healing prayers to the family
Daniel A. Salifou & Essam Shawn Drew Chicago, IL
My sincere condolences and prayers to you and your family.Derrick spoke often of his father and mother his love of his family. Derrick was a great friend. A man of honor, great intellect, supporter of those in need, quiet strength, and spiritual. He often went beyond measure. He was and is a blessing in my life. I know he was your blessing. May the Holy Spirit Enfold you!
I send prayers and condolences to the family. I just found out about Derrick going on to heaven. We were friends for about 15 years. We often celebrated our birthdays together since mine is a few days after his. He will be greatly missed.
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. I'm still in shock and disbelief.
Please accept my sincere condolences and prayers. I knew Derrick professionally working with him on a variety of DC development projects. He was creative, congenial and I enjoyed "unfolding" these design projects with him. I hope that the memories of the love and good times you all shared give you some measure of comfort in your sorrow. Rest in God's gentle hands Derrick.
I am really saddened to hear of your passing Derrick, but happy that our paths crossed in professional pursuits when you joined the office of planning while I was with D.H.C.D. Like myself I know you were proud of the significant contribution you made to the evolution of urban planning and design in todays D.C. Stay blessed. Leopold Clarke.
My deepest condolences to Derrick's family, and friends the world over - especially in DC; where he was committed to change. I met Derrick at Harvard, and he (in a very "Derrick" way) changed me. Derrick is one of the most patience and thoughtful people I have ever met, and he taught me those gifts. He did this with his special brand of humor and charm. After graduation, I worked with him in West Palm Beach, FL; before he went to WDC. DC was a better fit for him. I haven't kept up with him enough, as our professional lives got in the way, but he was doing great things. Derrick always did great things. Derrick lived a graceful and impactful life, and the world will miss him - deeply. We carry Derrick's spirit and lessons with us. God bless you Derrick and may you rest in peace, but your soul lives on.
During this time of sorrow, My prayers and condolences are with the family.
I remember "Jab" from the Upshaw Choir and riding on the bus to school. He was older than me but he was always just a cool guy to me and the other neighborhood kids. His accomplishments in this lifetime...WOW! I'm so proud & he was Lanett/West Shawmut!! Fly high, Jab! You'll be truly missed. I'm sorry for your loss, Sterling & family.
God bless, Michele
Derrick had such a generous and beautiful soul. I have such fond memories of him from elementary school and high school. He will be missed. Especially his beautiful heart!! I lift you up to God for his peace and mercy through this difficult time. Thank you for letting me Ben's small part of his life as well. God bless
I worked Derrick on the Rhode Island Avenue Small Area Planhe worked for OP/DMPED and managed the process, and I worked for the Ward 5 Councilmember. Derrick was an awesome, brilliant planner and I learned so much from him. Much of DC's development is the result of his hard work and vision. My thoughts go out to his family.
I was one of Derrick's neighbors in Washington, DC. Derrick advocated fiercely for the community living in this building when the building changed ownership. His efforts significantly improved the lives of the 20+ families living here through the renovation. Thank you, Derrick, you made a difference.
May the Creator comfort Derrick and his loved ones.
Derrick's golden heart, warm soul, and sharp mind are my fondest memories. A dear Friend, always willing to help and courageously stand for his beliefs, and his community ....
May the Lord grant him his reward ...
I admired Derrick greatly. I learned from him professionally and respected his outlook on life and love of travel. Sending my love to his family.
Words cannot express the loss of Derrick (aka Mr. Great Streets). I had the pleasure of working with him on so many projects during our tenure at DMPED. My heartfelt condolences go out to your family. I will surely miss the presence of a truly loveable and kind person.
My condolence to the family in this time of sorrow, DMPED will miss you.
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of sorrow.
Family,
I am so sad to learn of Derrick's passing. I had the pleasure of meeting and working with him at the DC Office of Planning for many years. He was a pure delight.
May God's grace sustain you all during your loss.
Cynita Blalock
My prayers for strength, peace and understanding goes out to the entire family in Jesus Name...
wowww , so sorry to see you go soo soon ! You was a resident in my building so uplifting and joyful , whenever you seen me you spoke & held a small conversation ... I remember when I first met you and Benard y'all are my favorite in the building so chill & nice never a dull moment ... may your soul Rest In Peace and your spirit rise high . You will truly be missed I'm so sorry Derrick sleep peacefully until we meet again .
Rest Easy, You lived in the building I worked for.You would always come from the store & offer me something to eat it didn't matter what it was. Beautiful Soul.
To my only auntie and my cousins My condolences for your loss of Derrick. May Jehovah provide you with the comfort that you need at this time. 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4. Love, air hugs and kisses
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