Mary Jane. Woods

Obituary: On May 15, 1922, Mary Jane Adams (Woods) was born to the late Frank and Dorcas Sims Adams in Hopkins (Dry Branch), South Carolina. She departed from this life on August 16, 2017. God blessed her with a long, happy life of 95 years. Mary Jane came to Christ at an early age and joined St. Mark Baptist Church in Gadsden, the home church of her immediate family. Because she was dedicated to the success of her church, she recognized the need for them to have a weekly Bible study. She took Bible classes and became the teacher of the new weekly Bible study. Mrs. Woods was concerned about showing the love of Christ to those beyond her immediate circle. She adopted African children through various ministries, and she supported international ministries which had feeding programs for people in impoverished nations. She attended public schools in Richland County, South Carolina, and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia. Her education continued at Benedict College and South Carolina State College (SCSC). She completed a Bachelor's degree from SCSC in 1947 in elementary education and a Master's degree in education. Mrs. Woods, a beloved elementary school teacher, started her teaching career in Conway, SC; in 1949, she began teaching with Richland School District One, from which she retired in 1983 after 34 years of service. In 1948, Miss Mary Jane Adams married Frank Woods, Sr., a World War II U. S. Army veteran. To this union were born four children, Barbara Ann, Frank, Marvin Lorenzo, and Mary Felita. After her son, Frank Woods, Jr., became pastor of Agape Christian Fellowship in Gadsden in 1997, she took membership there. Up to the end of her life, Mrs. Woods ardently read and studied the Bible, and participated in weekly Bible study from her home. One of her favorite words of wisdom, which she repeated often to her children, was this: "Only what you do for Christ will last." She leaves to cherish fond memories of her life: three children, Barbara Ann, Frank (Helen), and Mary Felita; four grandchildren: Frank Woods, III (Wendy), Khristie Natasha Woods Jackson (Andre') of Atlanta, Brian Curtis Woods (Suzanne) of Pennsylvania, and Carlos Woods of Montgomery; 9 great- grandchildren: Whitney Briana Woods, Frank Braylen Woods, Natasha Woods, Amari Woods, Israel Jackson, Isaiah Jackson, Elijah Jackson, Mary Jane Woods, and Benjamin Isaac Woods. Of her ten siblings, her brother, Deacon Doctor Adams, Sr. of Gadsden, SC; special "adopted" daughters, Shelia K. Lenoir (Atlanta) and Wilnet Tucker (Hopkins); a special "adopted" son, Tefera Hailu (Maryland); a devoted friend, Mrs. Lila Woodard; many "very devoted" nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends. Services: Funeral Service for Mrs. Mary Jane Woods will be held at 11:00am Tuesday, August 22, 2017 at Red Hill Baptist Church, Gadsden SC. Interment will follow in Church Cemetery. Mrs. Woods will be placed in the church one hour prior for public viewing. Visitation will be held Monday August 21, 2017 at JP Holley Funeral Home Columbia Chapel from 1pm to 8pm and family will receive friends from 6pm to 8pm.