Pauline Woods

In Loving Memory of Pauline Cotton Woods

May the light Sister Woods kept shinning never dim, and her prayers continue to cover those she loved

The Woods family sadly lost a pillar on November 15, 2020, when Pauline C. Woods passed away from cancer. Her contributions to the lives of so many in the small town of Twentynine Palms, California will never be forgotten. 

She was president of the local AFGE union and using her skills of discernment, was able to help many of her fellow workers. Lovingly  known as, Ms. Pauline, to the host of children who gathered at the CDC before and after school, she aways had a smile and positive word for everyone.

Around the community it wasn’t an odd sight to see Ms. Pauline handing out flyers and inviting people to come worship at the house of the Lord. She also loved dressing up as a clown and bringing joy to the life of others.

Ms. Pauline is survived by her four children; Ray A. Woods Jr. (39), Paulina R. Woods (37), Pandora Phoenix (35), and Daniel D. Woods (29). 

She is also survived by her siblings; Agatha Johnson (also with the lord), Regina Brown, Darlene C. Starks, Irene Cotton, Antonia Wright, Alice Templeton, Isaac Cotton Jr., and Antoinette Cotton. 

She was preceded in death by her parents Isaac Cotton Sr. and Lizzie Alice Cotton, and siblings Doreen C. Lindsey and Mary Linda Kelly. 

Her legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone she interacted with as well as those she reached but never met.

Words of Remembrance

Pauline woman loved by God your life beamed with his love. Your laughter was a glimpse of his smiling with us. Your care a glimpse of his care for us. You were a great mom, sister, and friend. Thanks for brining many smiles to so many many people, especially my mom. Paulina thank you for helping and being there for your mom, thank you Pandora, Ray and Daniel for your sacrifices for your mom, it was appreciated. Rest In Peace my sweet friend, Pauline. You ran a good race trying to please God and helping all you could. We’re missing you here on earth, but God wanted you home with him more.
Anita
Ms. Pauline was my saving grace while in the desert. Coming out there and knowing no one, she reached out and helped. From watching my son when I worked late to listening when I was going through anything – I can’t find enough ways to tell her thank you. I miss her dearly – our days of sitting and talking about her youth as I did her hair, to us bonding over whatever she or I cooked that day. Moving away didn’t stop our love – to the point I flew back and made it a point to go and surprise her. Thank you for preparing me for life, showing me that love has no boundaries, and teaching me that healing is important. We love you!
Tayia and CJ
I will never forget the day that I met Ms. Pauline, we were both working at McDonalds and this particular morning I was mad at one of the crew members and I was in the back throwing away the breakfast foods that were left over and I had a knife in my hands and I was stabbing the food. Ms. Pauline walks over to me and told me that God loved me and instantly I got scared and clung to her as if He was going to come down and get me. Once we were well acquainted with one another she told me that God told her to tell me “He loved me” and she tells the story of how she went back and forth with God because she said I had that knife and I was just stabbing the food. She said “but God she has a knife, she might stab me”. I was so thankful for her obedience because she won me to the Lord and she has never changed on me no matter what she was always her bubbly self and always loving on others. She will be truly missed, but never forgotten.
Robin McNeil
Ms. Pauline, was a great story teller. I would hate when I’d miss her story time with the kids at work, because I would have been called to go to another classroom or something. Also, I remember one day we were all at work, and the kids had gone to school. Ms. Pauline had fell out laughing about something, and if you know Ms. Pauline she hollers and her laugh is contagious. We all looked up and ran over to see what happen. She couldn’t stop and she couldn’t talk. Then, we all started laughing, because her laugh is so funny it’s contagious. We were all laughing and screaming, stomach hurting, about to pee on ourselves. One by one, walking away, falling all over each other. Others came from the other room to see what was happening and what did they do, they fell suit with the rest of us…Everyone was so happy for the rest of the day nothing had us down. We’d just look at each other and laugh at how we were acting like little kids. We’d brag to the ones that weren’t there about how much fun we had. GOOD TIMES!….I MISS AND LOVE YOU MY FRIEND-MY FAMILY!…..
Ms. Lolita

Sister Woods Favorite Song

There were times when Sister Woods struggled with raising four children alone. She would turn to Jesus for guidance and peace. Her children can remember standing in a circle singing ‘Bind Us Together’, before going to bed. A song, anthem, that kept them going years after they left home.