Edward Woods Jr.

Edward Woods, Jr. of Berrien Springs passed away suddenly on Dec. 9, 2016 at home.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 16 (viewing at 10 a.m.) at the Highland Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Highland Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church (2075 Highland Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022) or the Oakwood University National Alumni Association (Attn: Edward Woods, Jr. Memorial Fund, 7000 Adventist Blvd., Huntsville, AL 35896). Arrangements by Allred Funeral Home, Berrien Springs. www.allredfuneralhome.com.

Edward was born Aug. 21, 1945 in Benton Harbor, the youngest child and only son of Edward and Lillie Ann Woods. On July 27, 1969, he married Edith (Sloan) Woods.

As a result of his parents’ commitment to Christian education, he attended the Edith B. Garrett Elementary School in Benton Harbor, Emmanuel Missionary College Academy (now Andrews Academy) in Berrien Springs, and Oakwood University (formerly Oakwood College) in Huntsville, Ala. where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in sociology in 1968. He furthered his education by earning a Master of Arts in counseling education from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, and Education Specialist degree in educational leadership from Wayne State University in Detroit. He served as a teacher and administrator in the Benton Harbor Area Schools for nearly 32 years. Upon retiring, he worked for five years as superintendent of education for Lake Region Conference of Seventh-day Adventists in Chicago. Throughout his professional career, he received numerous awards and recognitions, which include Exemplary Administrator and Educator for Benton Harbor Area Schools, Presidential Citation for the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education, and other church, community and civic awards.

He was a lifelong member of the Highland Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church where he held numerous positions such as Home and School Leader, deacon, and elder.

He also served as president of the Oakwood University National Alumni Association for nine years. Prior to becoming president, he served for three years as vice-president of the National Alumni Association, and president of his local alumni chapter. 

He is survived by his wife, Edith Sloan Woods; his children: Edward III (Donnarie) of Grand Ledge, Mich., Brian (Gina) of Cordova, Tenn. and Trishonda of Berrien Springs; his grandchildren, Megan and Michael Woods of Grand Ledge; his sisters: Peggy (Scott) Hunter of Justin, Tex., Eddie Akande of Takoma Park, Md., Elizabeth Woods of Benton Harbor; his sister-in-law, Shirley Sloan of Baltimore, Md.; nephews: Christopher (Pam) Hunter of Frisco, Tex., Stanford (Nita) Hunter of Dallas, David Hunter of Seattle, Wash., Edwin Akande of Huntsville, Ala.; nieces: Cheryl Sloan and Tonya Hamlin of Baltimore, Md., Tanga Hudson of Atlanta, Ga., Jolayemi (Kabelo) of Takoma Park, Md., and Omoleye Rike Akande of Takoma Park. He also leaves to cherish his memory a host of grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, and several adopted sons, daughters, grandsons, granddaughters, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Lillie Ann Woods; father-in-law, Turner Sloan; mother-in-law, Jean Sloan; brother-in-law, Dan Akande; and sister-in-law, Barbara Dorsey.

Visitation:
Highland Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church
2075 Highland Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022

Funeral:
Highland Avenue Seventh-day Adventist Church
2075 Highland Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022