VA Board Pays Off Firefighter LODD Funeral Costs

    July 5, 2022
    Smyth County Board of Supervisors approved close to $4,400 to cover final funeral costs for Adwolfe firefighter Charles Woods, who died at a 2020 house fire.
    Adwolfe Volunteer Fire Department/Facebook
    Almost two years after Adwolfe VFD firefighters Charles 'Dog' Woods died at a house, his family still owed $4,400 in funeral expenses.
    Almost two years after Adwolfe VFD firefighters Charles "Dog" Woods died at a house, his family still owed $4,400 in funeral expenses.

    The Smyth County Board of Supervisors approved payments to cover remaining funeral costs for a 30-plus year volunteer firefighter who died at a 2020 house fire. 

    Lori Deel, the Smyth County Supervisors’ Vice Chair, brought to light the $4,400 in funeral costs that the family of Charles "Dog" Woods still owed after federal and state insurance coverage ran out.

    Deel said the family of the 34-year fire and EMS volunteer should not have to pay the costs, according to Smyth County News & Messenger.

    “It’s bad enough for a family to lose someone,” Chair Charlie Atkins said, adding that the insurance companies should not continue to “keep raking over the coals.” 

    Woods, 58, responded with the Adwolfe Volunteer Department to the Sept. 23, 2020 house fire where he suffered a fatal cardiac event.

    Woods also served with the Marion Life Saving Crew, along with his wife, Missy.

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