Dr. Willie Gene Woods

Dr. Willie Gene Woods was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi to the late Rev. John Wesley Woods, Sr. and Jessie Turner Woods on November 3, 1943. Willie was the eight child born to this union of 11 siblings. Willie peacefully departed this life on November 5, 2025, at the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center in Easton, Maryland, after a short illness surrounded by her beloved family.

Willie grew up with her family in Caroline County, Maryland. She graduated from Lockerman High School in Denton, Mayland as a valedictorian of her class of 1961. She continued her formal education, earning a Bachelor’s degree from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina and a master’s degree from Duke University in Durham, North Carolina and her PHD degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Willie accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at an early age and was baptized at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Denton, Maryland, under the Pastorship of her grandfather, the late Rev. Dr. Turner. She was an active participant in church and served as a Trustee, choir member, pianist and worship leader.

Dr. Willie Woods began her distinguished career in education as a classroom teacher in the North Carolina Public Schools and later in the Caroline County Public School System. She subsequently transitioned into higher education upon relocating to Pennsylvania, where she joined Harrisburg Area Community College. Over the course of her tenure, she held several key academic leadership roles, including senior Professor of English and education, academic Dean, and acting Vice President for faculty and instruction. Following her retirement from Harrisburg area Community College, Dr. Woods returned to Maryland and continued her service in academia as Dean of Arts and Sciences at Chesapeake College in Wye Mills. She retired from that role in 2011. Throughout her distinguished career Willie received numerous awards and recognitions and honors including: Who’s Who in American Education, Lifetime Achievement Awards Caroline County NAACP, Maryland governor’s Volunteer Service Honor and Kweisi Mfume Excellence in Advocacy Award.

Dr. Woods maintained a longstanding commitment to volunteerism and community service, consistently demonstrating a passion for uplifting others and advancing initiatives that promote justice, equality, and excellence. Her dedication to civic engagement was evident even during her college years, when she was recognized in Who’s Who Among Student in American Collages and Universities. She served as a junior Counselor and an active member of the College Student Council, participating in peaceful freedom marches and sit-ins that contributed to meaningful social progress within the community.

Throughout her professional career, Dr. Woods remained deeply engaged with both professional organizations and community service initiatives. She served on numerous boards, including the YMCA, Alternative Rehabilitation Communities, and Youth Urban Services, among others. Her dedication to educational advancement and civic engagement was further exemplified by her development and launch of a community college program focused on robust community integration and service. this innovative initiative earned national recognition for its excellence and impact.

Dr. Woods was deeply involved in the local community, where she was best known for her recent tenure as President of the NAACP Caroline County Branch from 2021 to 2024. Under her leadership, and with the support of a dedicated Executive Committee, the branch implemented a strategic plan focused on community service, launched its inaugural newsletter, and successfully doubled its active membership. In 2024, she spearheaded a year-long celebration commemorating the branches’ 75th anniversary. Among her most impactful contributions was a widely publicized collaboration with Black residents of Federalsburg, the ACLU of Maryland, and the Caucus of African American Leaders of the Eastern Shore. This coalition advocated for reforms to Federalsburg’s election system to bring it into compliance with the voting Rights Act and to ensure equitable representation, including the opportunity for a person of color to be elected to the Town Council.

Dr. Woods continued her civic engagement with distinction, serving as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Lockerman School Association, Inc. She was also a former board member of the Talbot Historical Society, where she played a pivotal role in establishing a permanent museum exhibit dedicated to the African America experience. Her decades of community involvement are reflected in the numerous awards and leadership recognitions she received. A lifelong member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Kappa Theta Omega Chapter, Easton, Maryland, where Dr. Woods held various leadership roles within this organization, including serving as Chapter President. Dr. Woods also is a lifetime member of the Africa American Museum in Washington, D.C.

Willie had a generous inner spirit which was reflected: Joyfulness (She enjoyed traveling with family and friends, with her clothing style, you know, shopping was something she enjoyed very much); Practical (She was an avid reader and always willing to learn and share with others). She enjoyed volunteering to improve lives the of individuals. Deep Thoughtfulness (Her happiest moments were spending time with her family where she looked forward to many family gatherings and celebrations).

Dr. Woods was a servant leader committed to using God-given skills and expertise in ways to help educate, elevated and empower others to succeed. She put God first in all her endeavors and was led by the Holy Spirit.

Family members preceding her in death are her parents, Rev. and Mrs. John Woods, Sr. of Preston, Maryland, her brothers, Benjamin Woods and Maurice Woods and her sisters, Alice Watkins and Mattie Woods.

She leaves to cherish: her four sisters, Ezola Webb of Preston, MD, Cozy Street (Newlin), of Smyrna, DE, Jessie Woods of Dover, DE and Hattie Woods, Harrisburg, PA; two brothers, Rev. Alfred Woods, Front Royal, VA and John Woods, Jr. (Linda) Chesapeake, VA; sister-in-law, Lynda Woods of Cleveland, OH; niece, Sherri Woods Spratt (Jefferey) of Pataskala, OH; nephews, Anthony Woods of Bedford Heights, OH, Donald Woods of Cleveland, OH and Darnell Watkins, Atlantic City, NJ; cousins, Misty Brown of Varina, NC, Nazelle Jefferson of Jackson, MS, Robert Turner (Clara) of Federalsburg, MD, Martha Dickerson of Federalsburg, MD and many grand nieces and nephews and other relatives.