Dr. Amos Larrell Woods, Sr.

Family and Marriage: Dr. Amos L. Woods, Sr was born August 25, 1933, to Reverend William Harrison and Cozetta Woods in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was united in holy matrimony to Fayretta Thompson, June 2, 1956, of Muskogee, Oklahoma (deceased 2016) for 60 years, and to this union were born four children, One son and three daughters: Felicia, Angela, Amos Jr., and LaShawn (a pastor, two missionaries and a song leader). God allowed Dr. Woods to locate and be reunited with his son, Bruce Woods, from a previous marriage (also a pastor) and family that brought in an additional total of 12 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren to the family. Education: In 1952, Dr. Woods graduated from Lincoln High School as Valedictorian, winning a 4-year scholarship music award to Philander Smith College, Little Rock, Arkansas. Dr. Woods attended Urban Bible Institute – BA, School of Theology and towards a Doctorate Degree. Other education included attendance at the Voice Prophecy Bible School. In 1956, Dr. Woods was inducted into the U.S. Army, of which he was a graduate of the Brook Army Medical Training Center as a Medical Specialist. From there, he was sent to Germany and was in charge of the Medical Aid Station on the Czechoslovakia Border. He then served as a Protestant Chaplain and was deputized as a Frontiersman by the 3rd Armored Calvary Regiment in 1957. Dr. Woods was the first COGIC pastor in Michigan to graduate from the Criminal Justice Institute and was a Police Chaplain, followed by a District Commander, becoming a Commander, and succeeding to a Sheriff Chaplain. He attended Universal Schools of Dallas and Causa International Programming Systems Institute. Ministry: Dr. Woods was saved and baptized in 1938, where he received the Holy Ghost and began preaching in 1945. In 1952, Dr. Woods preached at the University of Pennsylvania National Youth Congress. In 1953, Dr. Woods became the Pastor of Rose of Sharon COGIC, Little Rock, ARK. In 1982, Dr. Woods Lectured at Wayne County Community College, Detroit, MI. He conducted a Revival at Central Michigan University, where he preached at Tidley Temple United Methodist Church for the OIC Convention in Philadelphia, PA (Underground Railroad site) Sacred Heart Catholic Seminary and was a speaker for his 50th Class Reunion. Dr. Woods was the first Chaplain to hold a Police and Sheriff badge simultaneously. He served as a chaplain in Detroit, MI, and Chesapeake, VA. Northeast Michigan Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ: In 1959, he began pastoring Dequindre COGIC (which he later changed to Woods Cathedral COGIC). Pastor Woods served as the Love District Secretary for 22 years, the State President of the Evangelism Department for six years, the State Elder's Council, Assistant State Secretary for five years, Secretary of the CH Mason Bible College for seven years, and Regional Evangelism President for four years. Southwest Michigan First Jurisdiction Church of God in Christ: Dr. Woods served as the State Secretary for nine years, the District Superintendent of the J S Bailey District for seven years and pastored for four-years to New Mount Zion Church. Associations and Accomplishments: A member of the Eastside Ministers United in Action, Seraphic Mass Association, Capuchins, National Geographic Society, National Fishermen’s Club, Detroit Economic Club, Pastors and Physicians Health Awareness Alliance, and State President of Coalition for Religious Freedom in America. In 1955, the U.S. Government appointed Dr. Woods as the Lead Recruit for the Little Rock Induction (Military Center). The Greatest Award was nominated and voted into the Historical Society of International Professionals, Who’s Who in 2001. Dr. Woods was Commissioned as an “Ambassador for Fort Smith,” Arkansas,” by Mayor Brown on June 27, 2002, now known as Amos Woods Day! In 1986, Dr. Woods was consecrated as a Bishop by the Eastside Ecumenical Ministers of Detroit and the Bishop for the Grace Media Network. Dr. Woods was also included in other organization associations, Eastside Ministers United in Action, Seraphic Mass-National Geographical Society, 1981 Minister of the Year, Pastoral Research Association, and the Coalition for Religious Freedom. Dr. Woods transitioned from this life on September 3, 2023. He is survived by his five children, Felicia McTaw (Clyde) of Michigan, Angela Metoyer (Tony) of Colorado, Amos L. Woods, Jr (Trina) of Virginia, Lashawn Walker of Virginia, and Bruce Woods (Varetta) of California; grandchildren, Brittany of Michigan and Dejuan McTaw of Bali, Indonesia. Shannon, Brandon (Olivia) and Chekeshia Metoyer of Colorado, Amos Woods III of Michigan, Jerrell Mathis of Georgia, Kearah Swain (Glenn) of Arizona, Armonta Woods (Perris), Trinale, and Jyair Woods of Virginia, Yuri Kenan (Byron) of Michigan, Thomas Reginald Walker of Virginia; Kerry Morgan (Melissa), Jimore Morgan (Kendra), Brient Woods (Lily), Bruce Woods, Jr (Ebony) of California and Byron Woods (Ruth) of Arizona; siblings: Mae Thella Tillman (Fred) of Michigan, Charles Scott (Debra) of Ohio, Joe Woods of Kansas and Saundra McClelland of Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Joy Wilson of California, and a host of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, loving relatives and friends to cherish his memory

Dr. Amos Larrell Woods, Sr.

August 25, 1933 - September 3, 2023