Following a lengthy battle with lung cancer, Evelyn Louis Woods, of Harlem, New York, a beacon of warmth, wisdom, and strength, passed away on April 9, 2024, at St. Luke’s Hospital, at the age of 89. Evelyn was born in Springhope, NC (Nash County) on March 10, 1935, to Lonnie Sessoms and Mamie Wiggins. She grew up in a large family with six brothers and eight sisters and was educated in the Nash County public school system.

Evelyn married Bobby Joe Woods and from that marriage came three children, Barbara, and the twins (Sheila and Sharon). She was also blessed to bare two sons, Sylester (KC) Sessoms and Chico Woods. Evelyn migrated to Harlem from Springhope in the 1960’s to create a better life for herself and her children. Her home was an open door to family members who were also making their way “up north”. Her home was always filled with love, laughter, and good food.

Evelyn was a strong and proud woman who always worked hard to provide for her family. Every day she rose at the crack of dawn to make breakfast AND dinner for her family (a habit she continued until her dying day). She was a great cook who was known for her delicious and hearty soul food dishes (her collard greens and mac and cheese recipes were unmatched). She always held Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners at her home where all her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren, gathered to enjoy food, family, and fellowship (but mostly to enjoy time with her).

Evelyn’s passion was singing “the gospels.” She was an amazing soloist who led many songs on the Gospel Choir at her beloved Friendship Baptist Church, where she was a devout member until her illness prevented her from attending. She also loved traveling with friends and going to the casino to play the penny machines.

Evelyn will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Barbara Jovan Woods, her grandchildren, Robert Gillyard, Tracey Woods, Sharango (Mark) Woods-Rush, Marlovandera Woods, Sabrina (Robert) Woods-Fitzgerald, Christopher Woods, Toni (Alan) Woods-Hughes, Daniel Woods, Jason (Aliyah) Woods, Terry Woods, Jovonni (Shevon) Amemadzor and Jared Scott. As well as, by her great grandchildren, Victoria Woods, Victor (Allie) Woods, Jazmin Thomas, Robert Gillyard Jr., Kinard Gillyard, Sharana Woods, Ashley Plummer, Amber (Matthew)Barrett-Soto, Angel Plummer, Charles Woods, Jadah Suber, Charlene Plummer, Justin Woods, Sydney Hughes, Janelle Woods, Nassir Suber, Jamel Woods, Dakota Hughes, Avon Woods, Rayjean Woods, Logan Amemadzor and the twins-Sage and Harlem Woods. Finally, she will be missed by her great-great grandchildren, Kayanii Woods, Caleb Woods, Princeton Chinweuba, Kaydyn Woods, Charles Woods Jr., Victor Woods Jr., Stephen Woods, Lucas Williams, Lawson Woods, Noah Soto, Juelz Woods, Jewel Williams, Iyanna Williams, Leah Plummer, Amir Plummer, Ayden Plummer, Brooklynn Michel, and Troy Strother.

Evelyn was preceded in death by her sons, Sylester Sessoms and Chico Woods, her daughters, Sharon and Sheila Woods, her grandchildren, Christopher Braxton Woods, Michael Woods, and Noel J. Soto, and her brothers and sisters, Connie (Geneva) Sessoms, Ethel (Dan) Cannady, Virginia (Billy) Chalmers, Carrie (George) Brinkley, Maggie (William) Grady, Leroy (Sarah) Sessoms, Pearl ( Robert) Perry, Doris (Oscar) Williams, Delmas Sessoms, Wilbert (Odessa) Lee Sessoms, Dale (Constance) Sessoms, Leatha Mae (William) Newkirk, Madeline (Mr. Tims)Tims, and Robert Lee (Ruby) Sessoms.