Pastor John Leonard Woods

On Saturday, December 4, 1943, in Key West, Florida, God blew his breath of life upon the earth, and once again, man became a living soul. As God exhaled, He gave life to John Leonard Woods, the son of John and Romalia Doris Woods. On Monday, May 6, 2024, God inhaled and called Pastor John Leonard Woods back to Himself. Therefore, let it be so documented in the registry of the righteous that in the life of this Saint, the devil was defeated; destiny was fulfilled, and God's divine purpose was won! Pastor Woods attended school in the Broward County Public School System, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and he graduated from Dillard High School, where he excelled in Math. From there, he earned some college credits at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) and enjoyed playing clarinet in the FAMU Marching 100 Band. In the mid 1960's, Pastor Woods decided to move to New York City to take a position at Merrill Lynch and resided there for a number of years. When he relocated back to Florida, he began his career in transportation, as a driver for Distributed Processing Technology (DPT). For 20 years, Pastor Woods not only worked within Seminole County Public Schools as a bus driver and later monitor, he felt a deep calling to ministry while employed with the County until his passing. On any occasion, he could be found praying and preaching to his coworkers and encouraging them to give their lives to Christ and trust God. Pastor Woods was known as a hard worker, and most of all, he was known for his uplifting words, remarkable ability to bring the light of Jesus Christ into any situation, and for reminding us all about the power, compassion, and faithfulness of the Lord. Pastor Woods married his beloved wife Mary Morse on February 17, 1990. They shared many great memories together and enjoyed serving in ministry. Together, Pastor and First Lady Woods were devoted members of Power, Praise, and Deliverance, under the leadership of Pastor Mary Katherine Brisbane in Orlando, Florida. For 10 years, he walked closely under her leadership until her passing. Pastor Woods continued to serve as a faithful member under Pastor Willie C. Chambliss for three years. In 2000, the Lord called him to become an ordained Pastor, and he founded Blossom in the Word Deliverance Ministries in Longwood, Florida. He was a deep believer who had a strong passion for helping others and preaching the Word of God everywhere he went. Pastor Woods lived a life filled with love, laughter, and kindness towards all who he had the pleasure of meeting. He truly never met a stranger. He was known for his warm smile, unwavering generosity, and his deep love for God. He was a great example of a man who followed and believed God, and there is no doubt his legacy followed him to Heaven. In his free time, Pastor Woods enjoyed watching basketball, football, and any other sport that dealt with a ball. For many years, he played and coached tennis. As a tennis coach, he helped many youth earn tennis scholarships to college. He also loved going to Sam’s Club and found solace and joy in the simple moments spent with his family and friends. He had a special place in his heart for his four-legged companions, the late-Sam Woods and Champ Morse-Woods. Pastor Woods was preceded in death by his parents John and Romalia Doris Woods, and his two sisters, Valeria and Arnette Woods. He leaves to mourn his Wife, Mary Woods and Nine Children: Darryl Woods, John Woods, Jr. (Kassandra), Shannon Jones, Keith Woods (Kwani), Corey Morse, Derrick Morse, Alvin Morse, Jr. (Mary), Michael Morse, and Brian Morse (Jasmine); 16 Grandchildren, 7 Great-grand children; Sister: Valerie Harper; Brothers: Lenard Muhammad, Bernard Pratt, and Squire Allen, III (Sharon); his beloved Uncle, Robert Humes and God-brother, Tyrone Pratt; a host of nieces, nephews, very close cousins, friends, many spiritual sons and daughters, and church family. Pastor Woods may have left this world, but his love and legacy will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him. Let all who knew him, always remember some of his sayings: “You can’t be caught up in two opinions. Give your life to Christ.” “It’s getting late in the hour, you better come up out of sin.” “I don’t care what you say, Jesus is coming back.” “I don’t care what you say, if God ain’t say it . . . it ain’t so.” “If you don’t give your life to God, you're gonna end up in hell.” “What chu’ say?”

Tributes

Pastor John Leonard Woods

December 4, 1943 - May 6, 2024