Gregory Woods

O n August 5, 1960, Gregory DeWayne Woods was born to Thomasina LaVita in Brentwood, New York. Gregory accepted Christ after which he became a member of Morning Star A.M.E. Church. He later joined Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. Reverend Gregory Woods was licensed by Reverend Jerome Wilks at Saint Paul Baptist Church, Demopolis, Alabama; on March 30, 1986 and was ordained by Pastor B.B. Strowder, Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Bessemer, Alabama; on October 23, 1988, to exercise his gift in the gospel ministry. Gregory attended Abrams elementary and high school. During his senior year of high school he transferred to Hueytown High School where he received a basketball scholarship and graduated in 1979. He was accepted at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and graduated in 1983 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. He also attended Birmingham Baptist Bible College and received a degree in Theology. He also received Master of Ministry from Andersonville Theological Seminary in 2007. In the year of 1995, Reverend Gregory Woods was commissioned by God to Pastor New Saint John Baptist Church in Dolomite, Alabama. Pastor Woods loved his church by serving until his last days on earth. He was employed with BBVA Compass Bank for 25 years. He also was an educator and counselor in the Birmingham School Systems. Pastor Gregory Woods was a positive influence to children and young adults. As a counselor he worked with troubled youth. He was united in Holy Matrimony to Jennifer Lynn Beckwood (the love of his life) on September 9, 1995, at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. He departed this life on Wednesday, October 31, 2012. He was preceded in death by: his brother, Michael Anthony Davis. He leaves to cherish his memories: a devoted and loving wife, Jennifer Woods; mother, Thomasina LaVita; six brothers, Reverend Jerome Wilks (Gladys) of Gulfport, MS, George Davis (Faye) of Hoover, AL, Darren Hatcher (Teretha) of Selma, AL, DeWayne Woods (Jewell) of Coram, NY, Terry Woods (DeSiree) of McDonough, GA and Dennis LaVita of Boston, MA; one sister, Michelle LaVita of Detroit, MI; five sisters-in-law, Shirley Davis of Selma, AL, Laura Jackson, Cornelia Smith, DeVera Burroughs and Donna Beckwood all of Bessemer, AL; one brother-in-law, Henry Beckwood (Carolyn) of Hueytown, AL; a host of other relatives and friends.