Jaunita Woods

Jaunita entered the world with her twin brother Jaun on December 24, 1923. The twins arrived in Muskogee, Oklahoma just in time for Christmas. Jaunita and her brother were welcomed by their parents, Hattie Jackson Peters and John Welch Peters. To that union, a total of five children were born: Rubie, Gladys, Jaun, Jaunita and Faye Evelyn. Jaunita lost her twin brother in infancy. She carried that loss with her throughout her life.

A Time to Grow

Jaunita grew up in Taft, Oklahoma. At a very early age, Jaunita’s mother passed away. She and her three sisters would struggle to grow up without their mother. They learned early to look out for one another and overcame insurmountable odds. As a result, Jaunita and her sisters grew very close and remained close throughout their entire lives.

A Time to Learn

Early in life, Jaunita developed a love for learning. One story she would tell often was about the time she was learning Spanish. Jaunita was having a difficult time learning The Pledge of Allegiance in Spanish until she found out that she would not be able to go to the school dance. Jaunita learned The Pledge of Allegiance and was able to recite it until the late stages of Dementia made it impossible for her to remember all of the words. Jaunita graduated from Moton High school in Taft, Oklahoma and would later attend Portland State University. Jaunita never missed an opportunity to encourage young people to do well in school and learn all they could.

A Time to Love

While working in the Kaiser Shipyards in Vanport, Oregon, Jaunita met her future husband, Herman Woods. On May 17, 1948 Herman and Jaunita married and began their life together. It would only be two weeks later that the city of Vanport was destroyed by a flood. The newlyweds lost everything, but they were not discouraged. They continued to work hard and in 1952, bought the family home located at 220 NE Fargo Street. This home remained in the family until February 2013.

A Time to Serve

Jaunita loved the Lord. Before leaving Oklahoma, Jaunita attended an evangelistic meeting and learned about the Seventh-day Adventist religion. When she arrived in Portland, Jaunita met Gertha McDonald while working in the Kaiser Shipyards. Sister McDonald was a Seventh-day Adventist and Jaunita was soon taking Bible Studies and was convicted that the seventh day was the Sabbath. On January 29, 1949, Jaunita was baptized into the Sharon Seventh-day Adventist Church where she was an active member for sixty-five years. Jaunita loved her church and was always willing to help serve where needed. Over the years, Jaunita taught in the children’s department, sang in the choir, served as Church Clerk and would be the first to help in the kitchen. Everyone knew that Jaunita loved her church. Her desire was to always be a strong Christian and help others.

A Time to Work

Jaunita always had an adventurous spirit. She was not afraid of anything. In 1946, Jaunita left Oklahoma and moved to Vanport, Oregon to work in the Kaiser Shipyards. Jaunita worked in the shipyards until they closed. She then found work as a domestic. Her next job took her to Good Samaritan Hospital where she worked as a Dietician Aide. Jaunita would remain in this position for seventeen years. In the late sixties, Jaunita moved to what would be her final place of employment before she retired working for the State of Oregon in Adult and Family Services. For almost twenty years, Jaunita served families as a caseworker. It was a calling for her and she bonded with her families wanting only the best for each of them.

A Time for Family

After Jaunita moved to Portland, she never forgot about the sisters she left in Oklahoma. After saving some money, Jaunita sent for her youngest sister, Faye, and later her older sister, Rubie. The sisters were reunited and enjoyed raising their families near each other. Jaunita loved children and in 1959, she and Herman opened their hearts and home to a baby girl who they named Tamala Marie Woods. Tamala would bring her parents much joy and Jaunita would be a devoted Christian mother to the daughter she loved. Jaunita also loved her step-sons, Norman H. Maxwell and Darrell Woods. Her grandchildren were very near and dear to her, Velvet B. Maxwell, Shoshana “A’Cora” Maxwell, Karrington M. Newsome, Kelson M. Newsome and her great grandchildren, Tajé Woody and Whittney N. Newsome-Larkins.

A Time for Leisure

Jaunita’s love of travel took her to many parts of the world. In 1978, she went on a Holy Land Tour. This was a special trip because she would see many of the places she had only read about in the Bible. Jaunita loved to share her many pictures and tell stories about the places she visited. In 1988, she and her sister, Rubie went on a European tour visiting nine countries. This was a trip both sisters talked about for years. When anyone mentioned “trip,” Jaunita was ready to go. She was a fun travel partner and loved to have a good time.

A Time to Make Friends

In September 2013, Jaunita moved to a wonderful Christian foster home. It was there that Jaunita would make her last circle of special friends. Jaunita loved the socialization and the interaction with her three new friends at Mountain View Care Home. Ms. Mickey, Ms. Denelda and Ms. Sally spent their days singing, walking, doing art projects, playing games or just visiting. They formed a special bond. This was apparent when Jaunita left Mountain View for the last and final time. These ladies who had taken Jaunita into their family held hands and prayed for their friend.

A Time to Mourn

Jaunita was preceded in death by her parents; husband Herman Woods; brother Jaun Peters; sisters Rubie Franklin, Gladys Teague of Taft, OK and Faye Evelyn LyDay; brothers-in-law Stanley Franklin and L.D. Teague of Taft, OK; nephews Earnest Irving of Phoenix, AZ, Wilbur “Herkey” LyDay; neice Debra LyDay.

Jaunita leaves to cherish her memories: her daughter Tamala and son-in-law Karl Newsome of Scappoose, OR; step-sons Norman Maxwell of Kansas City, MO and Darrell Woods; two granddaughters Velvet B. Maxwell of Las Vegas, NV and Shoshana “A’Cora” Maxwell; grandsons Karrington M. Newsome and Kelson M. Newsome; great grandson Tajé Woody of Las Vegas, NV; great granddaughter Whittney N. Newsome-Larkins; nephews Theodore (Carmelita) Woods of Little Rock, AR, John (Beverly) Jenkins of Vancouver, WA, Merron (Carloyn) Teague of Houston, TX, Michael Woods of St. Louis, MO, Charles Teague of Houston, TX and Robert LyDay; nieces Betty Presley, Ella (Johnny) Poole of Sylacauga, AL, Jean LyDay, Juanita (Mark) Lewis: four generations of nieces, nephews, a number of other relatives, church family and friends.

A Time to Rest

On Friday, March 14, 2014 at 1:30 p.m., Jaunita fell asleep in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jaunita expressed earlier in the week that she was tired and ready to go. She gave her daughter time to say goodbye and spend some quiet time with her. Jaunita had no questions about her salvation. During her peaceful passing, her caregiver quietly sang one of Jaunita’s favorite songs, “I See Jesus Everywhere I Go.”

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Arrangements under the direction of Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home, Portland, OR.