ARMELIA HAZEL WOODS

Mrs. Armelia Deboe Woods was born in Eddyville, Kentucky to Clarence and Fannie Grooms Deboe. Her parents relocated to Paducah, Kentucky so she and her sister Lenora Nadine could have better educational opportunities.  

Mrs. Woods enrolled in Tillotson College in Austin, Texas, now Huston-Tillotson University, in the fall of 1940 where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree. Immediately after graduation, she accepted a teaching position with the Mt. Vernon, Illinois public school system.

In 1946 Mrs. Woods married Rev. Prenza L Woods and their daughter Beverly Allayne was born in 1948.  The family moved to San Antonio in 1951, and Mrs. Woods resumed her career in education. She completed advanced study at Our Lady of the Lake University. Mrs. Woods also received certification in Childhood Education from the Teachers Growth Workshop sponsored by Texas Association of Childhood Education at the University of Texas in Austin, TX. 

Mrs. Woods began teaching with the San Antonio Independent School District and was at Dorie Miller Elementary for twenty-six years. She also received instructor’s certification for the Children’s Division in the United Methodist Church. She retired in 1984 after 33 years of distinguished service in education.  

Mrs. Woods was initiated into the Alpha Nu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. 1943 and was a devoted member of the sorority for 82 years. She was recognized as a Diamond member 75 years of service in 2019. 

Mrs. Woods was an Archousa of the Gamma Phi Boulé of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity.  Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity is the oldest Black Greek-letter graduate-level fraternity in existence. Her husband, Archon Prenza L. Woods, was inducted into Sigma Pi Phi in 2002. 

Mrs. Woods is survived by her niece Barbara Walker; niece Regina Walker; nephew James Walker III; and many friends and acquaintances. She is proceeded in death by her parents Clarence and Fannie Grooms; husband Prenza L. Woods; sister Lenora Nadine Taylor; and daughter, Beverly Allayne Woods.