Doris Jean "Red" Woods

Doris Jean Barber-Woods, affectionately known as, Redigal, Red, Granny, Auntie Red, and as Da, by her great-grandchildren, was a blessing to her family and friends and will be greatly missed. Her deep love for God, family, church, and friends was evident through her sacrificial giving and sharing. There were many facets to Doris, she was boisterous, jazzy, and sophisticated when need be. She will always remain in the hearts of her family and friends as unique, vibrant, feisty, a leader, singer, and the First Lady of The Lord's Way Missionary Baptist Church. Doris was born August 31, 1931 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to the late Rev. L.E. Barber and the late Lucille Evans Barber. She was the second child from this union. Doris's only son, Julius (Skieet), her brother, Jack, and four sisters, Ann, Billie, Dess, and Sweettie, preceded her in death. Doris attended Dunbar Elementary, Carver Junior High School and Booker T. Washington High School (Tulsa). After leaving school she married the late Julius Lewis III and gave birth to her two children, Skieet and Deb. She moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1951, where she remained until January 2016, when she relocated to Oklahoma City. Doris gave her life to Christ at an early age and was baptized at Metropolitan Baptist Church (Tulsa) under the leadership of the late Rev. West. She continued serving the Lord throughout her life. When she relocated to Chicago, she joined Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Clay Evans, where she was an active member; and met her late husband, Rev. Arthur Woods. In November of 1971, under the leadership of her husband, Doris and Arthur were inspired by the Lord and founded The Lord's Way Missionary Baptist Church, located on Cottage Grove Avenue. In 1973, the membership purchased the current location on East 75th street. Doris worked diligently with several programs at The Lord's Way. Specifically, Doris served as a Sunday School Teacher where she identified and trained new Sunday School teachers. She served as a choir member and the choir president; she also served as an usher, president of the usher board and trainer of new ushers. Through her dedication, she inspired a choir that boasted 63 voices. Even though Doris loved to help the Sunday School classes, her true passion was singing. She organized the First Annual Passover Choir at The Lord's Way, which has been an ongoing tradition for the past 30 years. One of her greatest delights was to cook for the Chicago Ministers Conference. Doris worked as the Program and Event Planner, which included presenting plays that she directed. On March 29, 2015, the Christian Humanitarian Award was presented to Mother Doris J. Woods after 50 years of service as a founding member of Messiah Temple Missionary Baptist Church. Some of her other duties as God's servant included being an advisor, consultant, mentor, encourager, and a mother to many. Her greatest saying was "you do right, no matter what other's do, YOU DO RIGHT". Doris was a big proponent of education. She encouraged everyone to excel and reach their full potential. Doris also believed in hard work. She worked all her life with great willingness to support her family and all those around her in whatever manner she could. Doris was infinitely giving and would always say that "the Lord did not put a mouth here that He could not feed." She was determined to ensure that anyone she knew far or near was well fed. She worked for over 20 years at Harris Trust Bank in Chicago, Illinois. Doris was also active in the real-estate market. She enjoyed buying and rehabbing property via tax sales. She would always tell her children that "your best investment is in God's green earth," as she encouraged property ownership and entrepreneurship. Doris was a devoted daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She leaves to celebrate her life and legacy, her daughter, Deborah Dean (Earl Michael); five grandchildren, Stephanie Annice Abernathy White (Rahsaan) of Dallas, Texas, Julius Ray Lewis-Bostic of Houston, Texas, William "Shawn" Howard Abernathy III, Bree-An Jean Dean of Oklahoma City, and Whitney Steven Dean of Chicago, Illinois; seven great-grandchildren, Zamiris Annice White of Dallas, Texas; Breylon Scott Swope, Brenton Lewis Dean, Xavier Jaylen Williams, and Zaccheaus William Abernathy of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Patience and Jewel Lewis-Bostic of Houston, Texas, one brother, Lewis Barber Jr. of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Juanita Barber-Brooks (Tommy) of Norwalk, California, and Pamela Barber-Freeman of Houston, Texas; 16 nieces and nephews; 32 grand-nieces and nephews; 24 great nieces and nephews; and a host of cousins and friends.