Ruth Esther Kinsey Woods was born June 14, 1928 to the late Marvel Thomas and Lucinda Squires Kinsey in Maysville, NC. Mrs. Woods peacefully passed away at her home November 9, 2020, surrounded by her daughters Cindy Drake-Collier of Berrien Springs, MI, Natalie Woods Dixon (Richard) of Tallahassee, FL and grandson James Drake. Special thanks Jessie Lewis (mom’s friend of 50+ years) and Janca Taylor (whom she babysit) for surrounding mom with love and assist her care in last remaining hours. Extra special thanks to Circle of Care and PACE that assisted in her care, medical supplies, and support.
Ruth is survived by sister Ernestine Purnell of Greensboro, NC; sister-in law Irene Kinsey of Virginia, nephews Reginald Kinsey (Beverly) and Allen Michael Kinsey (Deborah) of Greensboro; Robert Earl Kinsey of Virginia; Kalungi Askia of Massachusetts and nieces Iris Moore (Larry) of Greensboro; Barbara Smith (Lloyd) of Virginia; Sabreen Askia, Carolyn Ruth Kinsey, Ayanna Kinsey of Massachusetts. Many many nephews and nieces by marriage. Ruth was preceded in death by six brothers and two sisters.
Ruth was married to Nathaniel Woods Sr. April 1966 (divorced 1972). The union yielded two daughters Cindy and Natalie. She also became stepmother to Sally Carr (Michael) deceased; Nathaniel Jr. (Juanita) of Coloma, MI; Jerry Lee (Cora) of South Bend, IN; Lydia Diana Jones deceased, Frederick A. (Coralynn) of Anderson, AL; Delores Jones of Granville, MO; Cheryl Lisa Phillips of Benton Harbor. She was a grandmother of two boys David and James. She was Grandma Ruth to 22 step-grands and many many great grandchildren.
Ruth became a Seventh-day Adventist at 19 years old during a revival she attended in New York. At the time, she was quietly attending these meetings her older sister Amanda whom she was living with at the time became curious to where she was going every evening. Amanda followed her and was also converted and baptized. Through church Ruth heard about Oakwood College and desired to attend. To raise money for her education she started selling Christian books. Ruth attended Oakwood several years but she was not able to graduate. However, through the experience she became an avid believer in Christian education. She made sure that her children received a good foundation in Christian education. Ruth’s resoluteness and supported both of her daughters in completing their college degrees. The youngest daughter Natalie Lynece Woods received her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineer at North Carolina A&T University and the her older daughter Cindy Y’vette Drake-Collier received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Business Management Western Michigan University.
Ruth Woods was a Christian woman who loved God and was a faithful believer. She always desired to bring others to know the love of Jesus Christ. She loved to work in “Tent Efforts” revival and gave one-on-one Bible study lessons leading many to accept Christ as their personal Savior and being baptized into the Adventist church. She loved helping people. She supported other single mothers and the elderly. She would helped them in various task including providing transportation to the doctor appointments, grocery shopping, or find food assistance. She was a babysitter to many children including her two grandchildren after she retired. She love for going to various church meeting was closely followed by she love to travel. She to travel North Caroline, Virginia, New York and Boston to visit family/friends. She had many sisters-friendship from the church who became extended family and honorary aunts to her two daughters, Alta Carpenter, Lydia Thomas, Toni Doswell, Janice Oryem, Jessie Lewis, and Nancy Lee with their children who are their brothers and sisters. She was consider a second mom to Beverly Tremal, Karma Washington, Tomeka Leslie, Edward Oryem, and many others.
She worked tirelessly to take care of her two grandchildren David Ryan Drake (27 yrs) & James Michael Alan Drake (12 yrs) while her daughter Cindy work parked part-time and completing her education. Her daughters took loving care of her during the last ten years as her dementia worsen. She, however, never forgot her daughters nor her grandchildren. She always remember your faced even though she may forgotten names. She was always friendly and kept a smile on her face. She was kind to everyone she and met no strangers. She always was grateful for your care and thanked everyone for being so good to her. The sounds of her praying for her love ones was continuous, her hugs and kisses will be greatly missed by her family and friends.
Memorial with Repass will be held at 9051 Midway Drive Apt 4, Berrien Springs, Michigan 49103 – Friday, November 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Please RVSP at cdrakecollier@aol.com
Posted On: Thursday, November 12, 2020 3:16 PM
