Bernice (Jackson) Woods Brown, 82, of Atlanta, Ga., passed away on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, at Woodland Ridge Assisted Living in Syrna, Ga. She was born in Morgantown on September 26, 1940, daughter of the late John Wesley Jackson Sr., and Velma Carol Jackson.
Bernice was the oldest of nine children, three girls and six boys. She graduated from University High School in 1959, and soon married Charles H. Woods Jr., and they had three kids, Charles (Ricky), Cheryl, and Carolyn Woods. They soon moved their family to New Jersey where she raised her three children while working two jobs. While raising her three children, she went on to obtain an associate’s degree from Essex County College in Newark, N.J. After graduating from Essex, she attended Jersey City State College in New Jersey where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduating from JCS, she attended Seton Hall University in New Jersey where she obtained a master’s degree in educational science.
After graduating from SHU, she began her career in education as a teacher for the Orange School District. She taught there for 10 years. Afterward, she went on to become the director for the business department for the Irvington school district in New Jersey. She also went back to her old alma mater, Essex County College, where she became a professor for the Business Development Department. After working for 30 years in the educational field, she retired and moved to Atlanta, Ga.
While enjoying her retirement, Bernice was constant active member to her church, The Zion Baptist Church in Marietta, Ga. Bernice also was very active with her beloved sorority (Delta Sigma Theta). She was part of a unique Senior group called the Red Hatters. Bernice was also very active in her bowling leagues and considered a great bowler! Bernice loved to go on vacations and travel. She once even went on a trip to Africa where she and the Deltas opened up a school for the Underprivileged. Bernice loved going to the casinos and gambling. Unfortunately, she fell prey to an unforgiving disease, Alzheimer’s. After a long hard bout with this disease, she passed away.
Bernice leaves behind to cherish her memories her son, Charles Ricky Woods; daughter-in-law, Patricia; daughters, Cheryl Denise Woods, and Carolyn Velma Couch; grandchildren, Brianna Woods, Christopher Couch, wife, Renée, Charles Royell Woods and Kay Couch; wife of deceased grandson, Michael Couch; great-grandchildren, Amir Frazier, Milah Couch, Amina Felder, Charlie Couch, and Amal Felder. She also leaves behind her beloved siblings, Shirley Cottingham, Leonard Jackson, Charles Allen Jackson, and wife Sharon, Kenneth Jackson, and wife, Diane. She also leaves behind a whole host of nieces, nephews, and cousins and friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Norma Jean and husband, Joe Louis; brothers, John Wesley, Jr., and wife, Betty, Richard (Uncle Bunky), and Lawrence; sisters-in-law, Aunt Birdy, Aunt Tiny, Martha Malbery and Uncle Leonard Cottingham; grandchildren, Michael Couch and Bernice Evelyn Couch and nephew, Johnny Cottingham.
Friends and family will be received at The River Church, 4234 Dents Run Blvd, Westover, WV 26501, from 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. with pastor Gwen McKinley officiating. Interment will follow at East Oak Grove Cemetery.
Hastings Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.
Condolences:
www.hastingsfuneralhome.com
