Fannie Woodson

Fannie Mae Woodson was born on Sunday, September 13, 1937, in Waelder, TX to the late Daisy French and Albert Eaton. Fannie attended the historic Ralph Bunche Elementary and High School in Waelder, TX. True to her upbringing, Fannie accepted Christ at a very young age, and was baptized at St. Paul Baptist Church in Waelder, TX. This commitment to Christ ultimately shaped her life and the legacy she leaves behind for her family and friends to cherish.

As a young adult, Fannie met Samuel Leslie Woodson, a tall good looking and charismatic man, that would become the love of her life. The two soon united as husband and wife on March 5, 1960, and later moved to Portland, Oregon in 1965 with her first child soon to be born. In their forty-two years of marriage, they had two children, Frank Leslie, and Fran Leslie Woodson. Fannie was a dedicated and an involved mother during the upbringings of Frank and Fran and would ultimately become the moral compass for her children. Fannie worked at Good Samaritan hospital early on while raising Frank and would ultimately retire from Farmers Insurance. Early in her retirement, Fannie was committed to providing care for her ailing husband at their home, where he quietly passed away on October 31, 2002.

Fannie was never without a church home. She was a faithful member at Vancouver Avenue First Baptist church and Friendship Fellowship Church over the five decades in the Portland area. She also affectionately called The Church Without Walls in Houston, TX, Mt. Erie Baptist Church in San Diego and Faith Fellowship Church in Corona, CA, her church home when on the road. To all these organizations, Fannie gave, loved, participated and was present to make an impact.

After the loss of her husband, Fannie spent her time serving family and friends. There were very few graduations, weddings, and birthdays that she would miss across the country. Fannie loved to travel and was blessed to visit Australia, Africa, the Holy Land, and many other places. She was also present for the historical moment in Rome when Pope Benedict XVI was selected and was at the inauguration of the first black President, Barack Obama. However, she cherished the most, her baptism in the Jordan River February 23, 1997. Eventually, Fannie would suspend traveling in 2019 as the toll of dementia began to take hold. God made all the provisions available to ensure Fannie was able to safely stay in her home until it was time for her to cross that same Jordan River into the arms of her maker.

Fannie leaves to cherish her memory and to continue her Legacy, her son, Frank Woodson; daughter, Fran Williams; daughter-in-Love, Lisa Woodson; grandchildren, Brandon Woodson, Eric Williams Jr., Madison Williams; great grandchildren, Brandon Woodson II and Hasani Woodson; sister, Barbara Jean Wilson; and a host of nephews, nieces, godchildren and other relatives and friends. Fannie was preceeded in death by her husband of 42 years, Samuel Leslie Woodson; her granddaughter, Alexis Dominique Woodson; brothers, Frank Sweat Jr. and Elvis Threadgill; and sisters, Claudia Jackson, Massalene Smith, and Jessie Mullin.

Fannie Mae’s loving physical presence will be truly missed, but her beautiful spirit will be with us always.

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