A remarkable, generous, God-fearing woman, Mrs. Gladys Jones Woods lived a life full of love, compassion, and grace. She took great pride in her lineage and she adored those loved ones who shaped the selfless way she lived. In addition to being a wife, a mother, a grandmother, and a matriarch, she was a writer at heart. While gathering material for her memorial, a number of her handwritten journals were discovered. So, to celebrate the life of Mrs. Gladys Jones Woods we honor her spirit, her joy, and her love, "in her own words".

"I was born Gladys Louise Jones to Charlie Jones and Mary Belle (MaeBell) Clapp on May 30, 1929, in Greensboro, North Carolina. I come from a big family (six sisters and five brothers). I had a good childhood. We did not have a lot of material things, but Mama and Daddy loved us and provided for us. We always had the necessities of life – food, clothes (even if they were hand-me-downs), a few toys and always, a home to live in.

We lived with Grandma [Eliza Jones] and Papa Jones [Alston Jones], Daddy's parents, off and on until I was ten. Mama said I was afraid of Papa at first. He had a beard like Santa Clause, except it wasn't white. One day he won me over with the heart of a watermelon and I loved him from then on. Mama said I sat on his lap until my feet dragged the floor!  Now there was never a sweeter woman to walk God's green earth than Eliza Jones, my Grandma Jones.

I attended school in Guilford County; the first three years at Goshen School [now the defunct Rena Bullock School]. I went to Goshen along with my cousins. We would meet at Grandma's house every morning and walk to school together; no matter what the weather – rain, snow, hot or cold.

In the fall of 1939, my parents moved to a little section in Greensboro called New Town. That is when we had to transfer to Greensboro City Schools. I was so frightened because I had never seen that many children in all my life, and the new school was much bigger than Goshen. So, I began attending school at J. C. Price [School]. The teachers were just as kind and concerned there as they had been at Goshen. From Price, I went on to Dudley High School which was an even bigger school with even more children. This was exciting to me! I remember going to my Aunt Dot's graduation and soon after I was inspired to wear a graduation cap and gown like hers. And on June 2, 1948, I did just that, thank God!  I was so proud of myself. In 1998, I celebrated my 50-year high school class reunion with my [Dudley] classmates. I sure enjoyed that! We had a great time. God is so great! I went to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University for two years.

On July 7, 1950, I married Thurman Woods, the first young man I ever dated. The good Lord gave us three healthy, handsome sons, (Thurman Philander, Mark Henry, and Horace Cornell) all looking very much like their father. We joined New Zion Missionary Baptist Church in the fall of 1956. However, I was baptized at Shiloh Baptist Church in 1947. I loved New Zion. I especially loved the members there. Some are gone now, but the way they treated me is something I will never forget. We went to Sunday School every Sunday, and I loved it so! Thurman always made arrangements to get us to church until we were able to own a car. After 20 beautiful years of marriage the good Lord took Thurman suddenly. This left the Lord, me, and my three sons. Over the years I tried to be the best mother I could be."

A truly beloved woman, Mrs. Woods departed this world on December 12, 2023. God lent this world the angel that she was for 94 years. She served her community and her church with enthusiasm and passion until she could no longer do so. As a devoted member of New Zion Missionary Baptist Church for 67 years, she enjoyed serving on the Missionary Circle, the Deaconess Ministry, the Adult Usher Board, the W. D. Johnson Scholarship Fund Committee and of course as a teacher and student with the Christian Education Ministry. She was also a Cub Scout Den Mother and a member of the Interdenominational Prayer Band at Bethel A.M.E. Church. Mrs. Woods loved her alma mater and remained active with the Dudley Alumni Association, Inc. for more than 50 years. She gave at will to countless charities and to family and friends in need. Even though she will be deeply missed, there is power in knowing she LIVED to show us what God can do through us and for us. Rest well sweet "Antique Girl".

Mrs. Woods was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Mr. Charlie, and Mrs. MaeBell Jones; brothers Charlie (Frazelle) Jones, Jr., Paul (Mabel) Jones, Jake (Kathy) Jones, Billy Jones, and Orin (Ameilia) Jones; sisters, Oz (Louis) Welch of Washington, DC, and Willie Mae (Clarence) Benefield; son, Thurman P. (Rhonda) Woods; and great-grandson, Joshua Woods. She is survived by sisters, Gertrude (Charles) Jeffries, Mildred Jones, and Beatrice (Joe) Brown; sons, Mark H. Woods and Horace (Mordell) Woods: grandchildren, Tonya R. Woods, Howard (Shameka) Campbell, Philana N. Woods, Kimberly L. Woods, and Derrick Woods; great-grandchildren, Joseph Jorrel Woods-Israel, Kristen Danielle Woods, Layla Simone Woods, and Amelia Hayes; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

A public viewing will be held on Tuesday, December 19 at Hargett Funeral Service, Inc., 905 E. Market Street, Greensboro from 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm.

A homegoing celebration will be held on Wednesday, December 20 in New Zion Baptist Church, 408 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Greensboro, NC; visitation with the family begins at 11:30 am followed by the service at 12:00 pm.  Interment will follow in Carolina Biblical Gardens.