Constance B. Woods

Constance B. Woodsdeparted this life on Monday, April 8, 2013 and entered paradise with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was 80 years old when an aggressive form of lymphoma was diagnosed and halted an exemplary life lived serving others. Mrs. Woods possessed many gifts and consciously applied them to build enduring legacies in every sphere of influence: in her family, at her church, while living abroad in the Philippines, Morocco, or Benin, and in Fort Washington MD where she lived for over 40 years. Constance B. Woods was born in Pittsburgh, PA on October 20, 1932 and graduated from Westinghouse HS before attending the University of Pittsburgh for more than one year. She married Herbert L. Woods on September 3, 1955. Her extraordinary service to her family in the early years was demonstrated by her support of Mr. Woods as a homemaker raising five children born through 1965 while he earned two post-secondary degrees, began a career in the civil service, and helped lead the civil rights movement. She later resumed her own education in the 1980s and earned an Associate’s Degree in Psychology from Prince Georges Community College. While living abroad, Mrs. Woods perfected the role of the Foreign Service spouse – hosting diplomats alongside Mr. Woods and volunteering to perform other duties associated with the Embassy missions as needed including working as a cashier. Even in the decades since returning to the U.S., Mr. and Mrs. Woods would receive people they befriended abroad at their home or by phone. Mrs. Woods’ example of the gift of hospitality and treating each person with respect and dignity left a deep impression on their children. Mrs. Woods widely acknowledged that her most important role was the building and equipping of her children to make their mark in the world. Her life was the example. She became an award-winning Avon Lady in the 1970s and taught self-sufficiency and saving money. Community service was very important to her as she helped out with Cub Scouts and local schools while her children were young. Moreover, she carried out numerous jobs and responsibilities as she worked with the Church of God from her teen years through last year. These included the Chancel Choir, the Bell Ringers, the Board of Trustees, and Vacation Bible School teacher. She retired from the Third Street Church of God after 13 years as Church Secretary. Yet her greatest achievement may have been her conscious effort to develop in her children a spiritually-guided boldness to: (1) stand up for themselves; (2) defend the weak and less fortunate; and (3) always maintain integrity. This is very evident if as you examine each of her children and watch her grandchildren. The Legacy Builder achieved success and the fruit is on the tree. Mrs. Woods is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Herbert L. Woods, and sisters Marjorie (Charles) Jackson, Janet Baugh Jones, Brenda (John) King, brothers Herbert (Joan) Baugh, Harold Baugh, Richard (Kenna) Baugh and sister-in-law Bernadette Baugh. She was preceded in death by her parents, William H Baugh, Sr. and Lucille Adair Baugh, and brother, Samuel (Bernadette) Baugh. She is also survived by her children Gregory (Jan), Cynthia, David (Regina), Eric (Sherry) and Michael (Tara) Woods. There are also 12 grandchildren (along with three spouses) and four great-grandchildren. Mrs. Woods also leaves behind a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives including those from the Adair (maternal) side of her family. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Constance B. Woods please visit our Sympathy Store.