Kaylon Raashad Woods

Kaylon Rashaad Woods, 38, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2026, in Elkhart, Indiana.

He was born to Ronnie Lee Woods and Belinda Gail (Smith) Woods, of Jacksonville, FL. September 6, 1987, in Charleston, South Carolina.

Left to cherish his memory are Ronnie and Belinda, his sister Mariah Woods, and his children, Jaylon and Kenley Woods. His family extends beyond blood. He is also survived by Jenny, Juan, Naiya, and Khali Gonzalez, Mia Wilson and Courtney Cox, and the entire Clark family including Doug, Katy, Matthew, Biz, Tommy, Catherine, and Molly.

In this life, we meet a lot of people. And if we’re lucky, we come across a few who just radiate something different. Light. Joy. Openness. Kindness. Realness. You don’t have to question it, you feel it in the way they show up, in what they say, and how they move through the world. Sunshine people, that was Kaylon. He brought a kind of peace with him wherever he went. The kind you don’t forget.

Above all, Kay was a dad. He was so proud of Jay for all his artwork, not the least of which included his Scholastic Art Awards and their trip to New York for Jay’s National Gold Medal. Kay was a self-proclaimed “extreme soccer dad” and Kenley’s biggest fan, who would have gone to the end of the earth for a weekend tournament. In his own words, “the cool thing about being a dad: your heart never stops growing.”

But even beyond his family, Kaylon was a community builder, especially as a yoga instructor. He inspired people to reach outside their comfort zones, reflect, and become better versions of themselves. He created and hosted a variety of yoga events including: Yoga and Mimosas, Tea and Yoga, Together in the Gardens, and Yoga on the Gridiron to name a few. One of his biggest projects was “Yoga for Social Justice” that offered “a space of healing and rest for all those fighting for social justice”.

Kay’s final journal prompt for one of his yoga classes summarizes exactly what he embodied with his own life: “What would it look like to exist fully, intentionally, and be in tune with your own body? How might you put that into practice?” No one needs to look further than Kay’s life for an example of what that looks like.

A Celebration of Life open house will be held at Madison Oyster Bar in South Bend, on Friday, May 1, from 5-10pm. All are welcome. Burial will take place at Greenwood Cemetery in Brunswick, Georgia.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kaylon Woods Memorial Fund at any 1st Source Bank.

Visit McGannHay.com to share memories or to send condolences to the family.