Willie Mae (Fondren) Woods

Willie Mae Fondren Woods was born March 10, 1945, to the late Willie B and Mae Phyllis Fondren in Lafayette County, Mississippi.

Willie Mae, affectionately known as “Granny,” accepted Christ at an early age and joined South Hopewell MB Church, where she remained faithful until her death. At South Hopewell, she attended Sunday school every Sunday, served as chair of the Kitchen Committee and Usher Board, and was a member of the Mother Board.

She received her education from Oxford Training School and was employed with Baptist Memorial Hospital in the Central Sterile Department. She was faithful, hardworking, and after more than 40 years of service, she retired in 2019.

Willie Mae was united in holy matrimony to her childhood sweetheart, Charles Woods, on November 10, 1963, from this union 3 children were born.

Cooking, baking, listening to gospel music, and gardening were some of her favorite past times. She was a doting grandmother and loved spending time with her family and friends. She was also a member of the Heroine of Jericho #95 of Taylor, MS.

On Saturday April 8, 2023, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi, Willie Mae traded her earthly life for eternal life with her Savior. She will be missed by those who loved her most.

She leaves a legacy and many great memories to cherish with her husband of 59 years, Charles Woods of Orwood, MS; son, Charles (Deidre) Woods of Nashville, TN; daughter, Melissa “Missy” Woods of Oxford, MS; grandchildren, Devin (Courtney) Slate of Courtland, MS, Lebresha Slate of Southaven, MS, Tyler Woods and Briá Woods of Nashville, TN; one great-grandson, Myles Slate of Courtland, MS; sister, Vickie Vaughn of Taylor, MS; sister-in-law, Phyllis Fondren of Taylor, MS, Benetta Wadlington of VA; aunts, Mildred Egerson of Taylor, MS, Lorinne Lockhart of Memphis, TN, Jackie Vaughn of Oxford, MS, and Ina Wadlington of Oxford, MS; a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Willie also had a host of special friends that she talked with on a daily basis, leaving loving and lasting memories with them all.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Willie B and Mae Phyllis Fondren, daughter, Vada Woods, and brother, Buck Fondren.