NELLIE MAE SIMMONS WOODS, age 96, of Winchester, Tenn. On Monday, May 11, 2020, the Lord saw fit to call home his own, from labor to reward.  She was born in Huntland, Tenn., to the late Harvey Simmons, Sr. and Queen Alice Johnson Simmons on August 26, 1923.  Mother Woods was a very devoted and loyal member of New Hope Church of God in Christ, in Cowan, Tenn., where she served faithfully under the leadership of Pastor Willie L. Bonner, Jr. During her tenure at New Hope COGIC, she was a member of the Mothers Board, President of the Usher Board and Member of the Hospitality Committee.  She also served on other church auxillaries within the Women's Department under the leadership of Mother Verna M. Bonner, Supervisor, TN Eastern Second Jurisdiction.  She worked untiringly up until her health began to fail. She always had a pleasant smile and kind words of encouragement for others.  She previously attended the Mt. Olive Primitive Baptist Church on Hunt Street in Winchester, Tenn.

Ms. Woods, was employed for many years and retired from the former Lanier Clothing Factory in Decherd, Tenn.,  After her retirement, she was employed for several years at Mary Sharp School in Winchester.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Woods, was preceded in death by her husband, Celdon Woods.  She is survived by her two sons; Apostle Roger (Anita) Woods of Nashville, J.D. (Kathleen) Woods of Winchester; Four daughters; Jessie Reed of Rialto, California, Bobbie Howard of Detroit, Michigan, Betty Ann (Thomas) Rodgers of Madison, Tenn., and Beatrice (Thomas) Taylor of Decherd. Six Sisters; Esterine Taylor, Linda Farris, Winchester;  Ruby Jean Kinslow, Decherd, Sandra Mastin, Martha Sue (Richard) Dixon of Huntland, Priscilla (Mark) Thompson, Madison, Tenn., Six Brothers; Harvey Simmons, Jr., Knoxville, Tenn., James (Kitty) Simmons, Freddie Simmons, Michael (Brenda) Simmons of Belvidere, Carnell (Deborah) Simmons and Ronnie Simmons, Huntland, Tenn., Sister-in-Law, Mable Trigg, Winchester, Twenty-Two Grandchildren, Forty-One Great-Grandchildren and Twenty-Eight Great-Great- Grandchildren.  A Devoted Niece, Vicenna Trigg, Winchester, Devoted Friends; Emestine Trimble, Shoma Beasley, Winchester, and Hazel King of Sherwood.  A loyal granddaughter, "hairdresser", Lucretia Woods of Tullahoma, and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

A Graveside service will be held on Friday, May 15, 2020, at Franklin Memorial Gardens, Winchester, Tenn., with Elder Leo b. Bonner, officiating and Superintendent Willie L. Bonner, Jr., Eulogist.