Jeannette Woods

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sunset of a truly remarkable woman, Jeannette Hayes Woods, on April 25, 2025. Born in Itasca, TX, on September 6, 1947, Jeannette lived a life filled with love, dedication, and compassion. She was a beacon of light to all around her, consistently offering her unwavering support to those she loved. Her radiant energy and warm spirit were infectious, making her presence a comforting solace.
Jeannette's lifelong dedication to serving others was reflected in her professional journey. After attending school in Fort Worth, TX, and Atlanta, Georgia, she graduated from South Fulton and began her path as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Atlanta. This path led her to a fulfilling career with the MHMR State School in Austin, TX, where she provided care and support for those most in need for 26 years before retiring. Even after her retirement, Jeannette continued to serve others, working in the home health care system for a number of years. Her passion for helping others was one of her most admirable traits, a testament to her loving and supportive nature.
Jeannette's faith was the cornerstone of her life. At a young age, she confirmed her faith in the Lord and began her journey with Christ at Corinth Baptist Church. After moving to Austin, Jeannette found a new church home at New Light Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, where she served as a choir member, joyfully sharing her love of the Lord through song. The Bible verse that best encapsulates her life is Proverbs 31:26, "She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue."
Jeannette was preceded in death by her loving husband, William H Hayes Sr., and their two sons, William Hayes Jr. and Aarron A Hayes. She later found love again with James L Woods Sr., to whom she was married until her sunset. Jeannette lovingly accepted James's two sons, Willie and James Jr, as her own. She is survived by her husband, James Woods; her step-sons, Willie Woods and James Jr; her niece Jessie Houston and her sisters, Ella Peterson, Stephanie Benford, Janie McDonald, Diana Thornton, Paula Stewart, and Elizabeth Taylor; her brothers, Raymond, John, Maxwell, Ricky, and Lonnie Jr.; her cousins, Darrell and Daryle Lockridge; her aunts, Ulla Hubert and Josephine Washington-Tillmon; her granddaughters, Jasmine Woods and Danielle Dydell; her grandson, Derry Dydell; and her great-grandchildren, Nala, Onyx, and Derry III. Among a host of nieces and nephews.
Jeannette's visitation will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:00 am CDT at the New Light Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church, followed by her interment at 2:00 pm CDT at Cook-Walden/Capital Parks Funeral Home & Cemetery.
In honor of Jeannette's legacy, we invite you to share your memories and upload photos to the memorial page as a tribute to her enduring spirit and the love she shared with us all. She will always be remembered as a compassionate, dedicated, loving, and supportive woman, whose legacy will live on in the hearts of those she touched.