Mattie R. Woods

Obituary For Mattie R. Woods

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:

VIEWING: Friday, February 18, 2022 5:00pm-6:00pm Camel Funeral Home in Leon Camel Jr Chapel Belle Glade, FL 33430

SERVICE: Saturday, February 19, 2022 1:00pm New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 1101 West Ave A, Belle Glade, FL 33430

INTERMENT: Tuesday, February 22, 2022 10:30am South Florida National Veterans Cemetery 6501 State Road 7, Lake Worth, FL 33449

Repast – Following Service Greater St. Paul Church of God in Christ 915 W Ave. A Belle Glade, FL 33430

Mrs. Mattie Ruth Woods was born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Rufus and Lovie Lee “Madear” Mullins on October 27, 1936 in Pike County, Alabama.

During her early years she and her family resided in Belle Glade, FL where she was educated. She would later go on to study for and receive her GED as an adult learner with pride. Mattie was born the third of five children and was preceded in death by her sister, Ms. Willie Lee King and her brothers Mr. Willie Arthur “Buddy” Mullins and Mr. Henry Frank “Short Man” Mullins. She has left behind to mourn her loving sister, Ms. Irma Jean Williams (Newark, NJ) and much-loved Aunts Mrs. Hattie Griffin Flowers (Brundidge, AL), Sarah Jean Turner and Nina Mae Griffin (both of Newark, NJ) - all the remaining children of Mr. and Mrs. John and Ida (Frazier) Griffin (Brundidge, AL).

On Wednesday, February 3, 2022, Mattie was granted rest from her labor and joined her beloved husband of 65 years Mr. Clarence I. Woods, Sr. who preceded her in death on December 18, 2021. She leaves to cherish her memory three loving daughters, Ms. Vernell Mullins of Zephyrhills, FL, Ms. Irma Woods of Pahokee, FL and Ms. Robin Lakaye Woods of Miami, FL, as well as four devoted sons, Reverend Ricky (Sand) Woods, Sr. of West Palm Beach, FL, Mr. Clarence Woods, Jr. of Pahokee, FL, Mr. Frederick Woods of Pahokee, FL, and Mr. Milton (Dr. Shikira) Woods of Atlanta, GA. She was preceded in death by beloved sons Mr. Willie Joe Mullins (Betty) of Detroit, MI and Mr. Bennorres Mullins of Miami, FL.

She also leaves to cherish her memory her two granddaughters that she helped to raise – Cassandra Neal Mires (Zephyrhills, FL) and Antwanette R. Burgess (Miami, FL) and three grandsons that she helped to raise – Anthony Woods (Pahokee, FL), Nathan Woods (Boynton Beach, FL), and Jarvis Woods (Atlanta, GA); Twenty-two (22) adorable grandchildren, twenty-one (21) precious great-grandchildren and a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Mattie was a loving wife, mother, sister, daughter, neighbor, and friend. Her primary focus was always FAMILY. She loved children and helping families. Her early classroom experiences as an educator were at Gove Elementary in Belle Glade and at Pahokee Elementary in Pahokee. Following that she became a certified childcare provider and started her own daycare center, Woods Family Daycare, which she operated from her home under the umbrella of Family Home Day Care Providers, Inc. Through her work she became a “second” Mom and Grandma to the neighborhood. She was a diligent homemaker and seamstress.

For many years she was an active member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church of Belle Glade, FL under the leadership of Reverend O.D. Williams with her husband, who himself was an active member until his health began to decline. Once the family relocated to Pahokee she became a member of New Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church of Pahokee, FL under the leadership of then pastor Reverend W.C. Crumity and later followed by Reverend John H. Barrett. She was also a member of the Order of Eastern Stars – Dixie Belle Chapter 116.

Special Cousins: Lamar and Dorma Mullins, Johnny and Vivian Mullins and Juanita Maybin

Special Family Friends: Lorine Wells, Minnie Booth-Sistrunck, Kenny and Barbara Brown Fitzpatrick, Vietra Gaines, Robert Turner, Cynthia Foreman, Barbara Chambers, Mary A. Hooper, Laronn Montgomery, Sr., Sherri Baker, Rubye Curry, Irene Crittenden and Johnetta Rutledge-Brown

Additional Family Members: Mullins, Smith, Frazier, Ford, Woods, and Hill families.