Shirley T Woods

Mother Shirley T. Woods was born August 4,1942 to the late Willie Boisy and Willie Mae Taylor of Martin, Florida. She transitioned on July 29, 2026, at the age of 83 to be with her Heavenly Father. 

Shirley accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior as a young woman. She was co-founder of Bible Truth Prayer Band Home Ministry and a faithful member of Free Will Spirit Church of God in Christ in Ocala. Her late husband, Elder Frank E. Woods Sr. was the founder, and she was the co-founder. She was educated in the Marion County Public School system and attended Fessenden Academy in Martin Florida. She was valedictorian of her class and earned the name of “Tops” from her twin cousins, Stevie and Bessie Peterson. She also graduated from Hampton Junior College and earned her degree in Culinary Arts. She became a Chef at Ramada Inn. She furthered her career with the Florida Department of Corrections women's prison (FCI) in Lowell, Florida. She became the first black female Sergeant of Culinary and was honored and recognized for her promotion by the former Florida governor Bob Graham. After retiring from the Department of Corrections, she worked for Marion Juvenile Detention Level 8 Program also located in Lowell, Florida. She concluded her employment journey with the Marion County Public School System in Food Service at Howard Middle School. 

Shirley was married to the late Elder Frank E. Woods, Sr. on November 19, 1956, to this union they were blessed with six children Frank Jr., Jewel, Debra, Angela, Valerie, and Felix. They were married 63 years before his passing February 5, 2020. Together they instilled a work ethic in their children also they established a life of faith and trusting in God. Shirley had two grandsons who preceded her in death Frank E. Woods III and Vincent Foster Jr. and a Son-in-Law Dwayne Vance Sr. She is survived by her six children Frank E. Woods Jr. (Brenda); Jewel Holt (Herbert Sr.) Debra Vance; Angela Woods Thagard-Foster (Vincent Sr.); Valerie Green (Mikel) and Felix Woods Sr. Taneisha); 26 Grandchildren; 41 Great-Grandchildren; Her only surviving sibling Minister Dora Mae Fletcher, Special Neice Sonya Scott, many sorrowing nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. 

She leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and compassion that will continue to inspire all who knew her. She found joy in sewing, cooking, canning, and completing word search books. More than anything, she cherished her family and was a mother figure to so many, always offering love, guidance, and encouragement. 

She treasured every opportunity to spend time with her family, whether traveling on vacations, visiting attractions, or cheering from the sidelines at her grandsons' football games and her great-granddaughters' softball games. Her enthusiastic spirit could always be heard from the crowd as she proudly shouted, "Show me what you're working with!" That familiar cheer became a treasured reminder of her unwavering love and support for those she held dear. 

Godchildren: Alfonso Blunt, Elroy Dennison, Rochelle Gadson, Flora Weathers, Elder Ronnie Holt, Cameron T. Taylor and George Evans. Brother-in-laws: Minister Reginald Woods, Isaiah Woods Sr., Jimmy Woods Sr. Sister-in-laws: Doretha Taylor, Carrie Woods, Jeanette Doby (Reverend Willie), Priscilla Johnson, Mae Johnson (Alton Sr.) and Maggie Woods 

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