Funeral services for Deaconess Vernell B. Woods, conducted by the Rev. Benjamin Milligan and the Rev. F.C. Haskell, were held Saturday December 22, 2012, at Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church of Pineville. Burial, directed by Henryhand Funeral Home, followed at Sunset Cemetery of Pineville.

Deaconess Woods died Sunday, December 16, 2012. She was born June 29, 1954, in Pineville, the daughter of the late Annie Regina Bennett and Edward Bennett. She received her formal education in the Berkeley County School System. She was a member of New Covenant Baptist Church, where she served on the church’s Kitchen Committee, the Pastor’s Aide Committee and was a Deaconess. She was married to Joe Nathan Woods. A son, Deondrae Altazie Bennett, preceded her in death. Survivors are: one son, Harkeem Jamal Woods (Octavia) of St. Stephen; three daughters, Monica Sheria Bennett, Jaqueline Bennett Cooper (Timothy), and Lakesha Shondell Bennett, all of St. Stephen; three sisters, Ruby Almond (Richard) and Victoria Gadsden, both of Pineville; and Pamela B. Jones of St. Stephen; four brothers, Earl Bennett (Deborah), Louis Bennett (Carrie), Festa Bennett (Mary) and Thomas Bennett (Bernice), all of St. Stephen; one Goddaughter, Alescia P. Almond Parson of Augusta, Georgia; and two Godsons, Asher Parson and Iman Parson both of Augusta, Georgia; and five grandchildren;. Pallbearers were Roderick Jefferson, Dontae Bennet, Jonathan Bennett, Jr., Eddie Woods, De’Angelo Timmons, Anthony Paige, and Joseph Bennett.