Obituaries

Tollye Gyne Woods

Photo of Tollye Gyne Woods
Tollye Gyne Woods was born Tollie Gyne Brent in McGhee, Arkansas, on August 3, 1935. She was the older of two daughters born to Johnnie and Azelee Chester Brent. She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents, and husband, Howard Woods. On January 25, 2015, Tollye transitioned from this life. After spending her early childhood in southeast Arkansas, she and her sister, Johnnie, moved with their paternal grandfather, Will Brent, in Little Rock and continued her education there. Tollye later majored in Early Childhood Education, and then became a preschool teacher with the Little Rock School District. She united with Howard Leroy Woods in April 1957, and to this union, eight children were born. Tollye became active in the city's arts & crafts programs after her retirement from the school district. She dedicated her time creating ceramic art and gardening. She joined Saint Mark Baptist Church in August 2005, and volunteered countless hours feeding the homeless at the food pantry until her health failed. Cherishing the memories of Tollye Gyne Woods are her sister, Johnnie Clark (Ollie); mother-in-law, Irene Elizabeth Macklin; children: Simon "Dell" Norwood, Anne (Richard) Glenn, Lorri Watson, Neva Maree, Michelle (Thomas) Parker, Michael Woods, Zana Woods, Robin (Lloyd) Reshard; grandchildren: Dania "Tricie" Knight, Larry "Shawn" Piggee, Simon "JR" Norwood Jr., Charity (Jovan) Payton, Dethanie Venson, Deanna (Herman) Thomas, Cherie Glenn, Faith (Kareem) Thompson, JoAnna "Nicki" Glenn, Timothy (Tigist) Glenn, Michael Watson, Christopher Nelson, Michael Hussey, Tia Woods, Joshua Woods, Samiah Woods, Tashana (Sora Gaye) Stoudamire, Tameka Lewis, Lloyd Reshard Jr., Theron Reshard, Nathalie Reshard, Mia Parker, Mario Parker, Thomas "TJ" Parker; one nephew, six nieces, 23 great-grandchildren, Saint Mark Baptist Church, ConIvie Gardens Apartments (especially Terry Bullock and Andrew Tyson); and a host of other relatives and friends. A special "thank you" is extended to: Elder Lamarr D. Bailey, Pastor Glenn Hersey, Dr. Lawrence Mendelsohn of the Little Rock Hematology/Oncology Clinic and the Arkansas Hospice Team of Vicky and Rose. A Memorial Service celebrating Tollye's life will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 31st at Saint Mark Baptist Church, 5722 West 12th St., Little Rock, Ark. with Dr. Phillip L. Pointer officiating. Please sign the on-line guest book at www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.

Published January 28, 2015

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