Kathleen Woods

A Praise Celebration in Honor of Kathleen Woods

“Kat” affectionally known to all that knew her, was born to the Pastor Leroy Ford and Sammie Mae Ford, in Houston’s Acres Homes, Texas.

School:

Kathleen’s primary school years, through her becoming a young adult, were spent in this same area. She attended A.B. Anderson, George Washington Carver, and went on to finish grade school Booker T. Washington High School.

Marriage:

Kathleen Woods married her high school sweetheart, who lived just one street over from the house she grew up in. Not only was he her play and school mate, he would eventually become her beaux and asked for her hand in marriage. Kathleen Ford married James Woods on July 12, 1965, in Houston Harris County, Texas. They were married until God called James home, November 17, 2005. From this marriage, (4) girls were born, Juslyn, Vonna, Tamara and Jada. James and Kathleen Woods were the epitome of what marriage should exemplify. They were spiritually, emotionally and physically united and raised their children to the same likeness. But life would offer Kathleen another set of children. Kiara, Chelsie, Jay, Shantae, Camaran, Marcus, Jaelon and Courtney officially transitioned from her grandchildren to her children on August 6, 2009 by way of adoption. Kathleen was Stellar! She believed in the bible way of training up a child in the way he should go and when he gets old, he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6). Kathleen would often remind THE WORLD that she had (4) biological children, (14) grandchildren and (22) great-grandchildren and she loved them all the same. Her house joke was that she would have (50) great-grandchildren with all of these children she has.

Church:

Kathleen joined and attended New Macedonia under the leadership of Pastor Willie Hillsman. She later joined New Jerusalem Baptist Church under the late Nathaniel Lewis, where she was baptized and was an active attendant. Pastor Lewis C. Rogers would succeed Pastor Lewis, and Kathleen was under his advisement for over thirty-years. In 2020, she joined Mount Pleasant Baptist Church under the leadership of her nephew, Pastor Henry D. Lewis. She served under this ministry until 2022, when she joined Greater Zion Missionary Baptist church. She was a member until June 6, 2023.

Work Life:

Kathleen was never afraid to work. She worked for the Harris County Hospital District (Jefferson Davis and LBJ Hospital) combined for over 35 years. One she retired in the early 2000’s, she became a full-time wife, mother, grand-mother and great-grandmother. She was exceptional in educating and training her children for the future. For a spell in the 70’s-80’s, she took on a part-time job with Houston Methodist Hospital to gain enough money to purchase her own car with her own money!

Personal Life:

Kathleen Woods had two main hobbies: Her love for her favorite football team, The Dallas Cowboys, and her love for music. Her main genres were Gospel, Jazz and R&B.

Kathleen Woods is preceded in death by her husband, James Woods, father, Pastor Leroy Ford, mother, Sammie Mae Ford and brother, John Ford.

Kathleen leaves to cherish her 14 grandchildren, Jamicah, Aldric, Zaelon, Kiara, Chelsie, Elondria, Jay, Marcus, Jaelon, Courtney, Daniel, and Chase, siblings Arnell Grant (Tom), Leroy Ford, Gale Lewis (Henry), LuAndrea Green(Edward), Kevin Ford (Audria), Gary Ford, Stanley Ford, Willie Ford, Wilbert Ford and Willis Ford. A host of beautiful nephews and nieces. GOD has been good to our family!

A visitation for Kathleen will be held Friday, June 16, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at GREATER ZION M.B.C., 1620 Dolly Wright St, Houston, TX 77088. A funeral will occur Friday, June 16, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 1620 Dolly Wright St, Houston, TX 77088. A committal will occur Friday, June 16, 2023 from 12:45 PM to 1:15 PM at PARADISE NORTH, 10401 W Montgomery Rd, Houston, TX 77088.