Jake E. Woods

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It is with heartfelt sorrow and profound respect that we commemorate the life of Jake Ella Woods, a sweet soul who spent nearly a century illuminating the lives of those around her. Born on December 15, 1926, in the small town of Holcomb, Mississippi, she departed this world on May 25, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri, leaving behind a legacy steeped in kindness, faith, and resilience.

Jake was a woman of great substance, whose character was shaped by a steadfast commitment to her beliefs and a deeply rooted sense of justice and faith. Since her childhood, she embraced her AME (African Methodist Episcopal Church) faith with passion and devotion. In her church family, she found solace and joy, participating in numerous stations within the church. Jake was active in the choir, taught as a Sunday School teacher, was on the Finance Committee, Trustee Board, Sarah Allen’s Women’s Missionary Society, the Carnation Club, Senior/CHANCEL Choir and Chicago Conference Choir, as well as the Food Pantry and West Suburban Chorale from 1960 until her relocation to Kansas City with her daughter, Norma Westbrook, six years prior to her passing. Jake also participated in the Foster Grandparents Program for Special Needs Children. Her voice, both in song and in spirit, was a testament to her enduring faith and a reflection of her compassionate heart.

A proud introvert, Jake possessed a down-to-earth demeanor that endeared her to many. She carried herself with grace and humility, always placing the needs of others before her own. Her kindness knew no bounds, and she championed fairness and justice in all her interactions.

In addition to her unwavering faith and compassion for others, Jake had a unique passion for baseball, particularly for the Chicago Cubs. The joy she felt upon witnessing the team triumph in the World Series in 2016, as well as their achievements in the receiving the Nat’l League Pennants in 2016, and Central Division Titles in 2016, 2017, and 2020, brought her such happiness and pride.

Jake was preceded in death by her beloved parents, William Woods and Mary (Bapteast) Woods, alongside eight siblings who had been an integral part of her life. Their absence was a profound loss that she carried with her, yet the strength and resilience she exhibited demonstrated the remarkable spirit that defined her life.

Jake E. Woods leaves behind her cherished daughter, Norma Westbrook, a living testament to her legacy of love, faith, and strength, as well as many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, the membership of Canaan AME Church, and dear friends from the Blue Cane Mississippi community to mourn her passing. As we reflect on her journey through life, we celebrate not only the victories and joys she experienced but also the countless lives she touched with her kindness and compassion.

In remembering Jake, we are reminded of the enduring power of love, faith, and the simple beauty of a simple life lived. May her spirit continue to inspire and guide us, ensuring that the values she held dear live on in the hearts of those she left behind.