Lucy Woods

December 19, 1931 - October 21, 2013

Reflections of Life Lucy A. Woods She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, cousin and friend to many but her family affectionately called her Mama Lu. Born to Royal Douglass Brandon, Sr. and Eunice Carrie Brandon, Lucy began life's journey on December 19, 1931 in Halifax, Virginia. She was the fifth eldest of eleven children: Richard, Sallie Mae, Josephine, Royal Jr. "Bill", Annie Mae, Henry, Curtis, Recie, Bobby, and Nancy Carolyn. She learned at an earlier age that she was part of a rich heritage that made the Love of the Lord and education a primary goal for all. Her uncle Roland Mason provided land for the local elementary school and church and Uncle Richard provided a home for the teachers. She attended Mason Chapel and New Bethel Baptist Church. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior, setting her eternal destiny and embarking on a lifelong journey to develop her character. After graduation from Halifax County Training School, Lucy eventually moved to Tennessee to pursue her Associate of Arts degree at Nashville Business School. She also participated in civil rights demonstrations. While there, she met her husband Odie Woods, a tall handsome young coed. The couple married on March 2, 1959 and relocated to California. Their union lasted 54 years. The early years were difficult; however, with prayer and prudence they provided comfortably for their family. She was her husband's trusted confidant. In the community, Lucy joined neighbors in faithfully organizing neighborhood block clubs. As a mother, she taught her children by precept and example to love and trust the Lord at all times. During her career, she was employed at The Internal Revenue Service, Veterans' Administration and United States Postal Service and retired at the age of 70. At Macedonia, she served under Pastors Evans, Dr. Massey, Dr. Wright-Riggins, Dr. Mason and Reverend Scott and she served and worked in the hospitality ministry. On October 21, 2013, she completed her earthly pilgrimage and finished her race; she joined the cloud of witnesses who have kept the faith in our Loving Lord. She leaves many to cherish her memory: her devoted husband Deacon Odie Woods, daughters and their husbands Jacqueline and Robert, Valerie and John, grandchildren: Simone, Aziza, Yosef and David, her sisters: Rede (Herley) Richmond, Carolyn (Lee) Taylor, Annie Mae (Elbert) Richmond, local family members: niece Constance_Fortune, cousins Florice Lovely Brown, Andrea and Monique and a host of family members, beloved friends and warm neighbors. We remember her fragrant spirit and thank God for her life.