Ruth M. "Italy" Woods

Ruth M. “Italy” Woods, 96 of Lancaster, died peacefully on Sunday afternoon, January 21, 2018 at LGH, surrounded by her loving family. She was the last member of her immediately family. She was born in Philadelphia on February 3, 1921 to the late Benjamin and Lillian (Butcher) Woods. Ruth spent her summers in Lancaster at the home of her Uncle Rev. Louis A. Butcher Sr. and Aunt Susie(Brown) Butcher. She later moved to Lancaster where she was educated in the Lancaster city school system. Ruth worked at RCA as a machinist for over 38 years before retiring. Ruth was raised in a Christian home and accepted and was baptized at an early age. As a child she learned how to play the Piano, it was a must in her home growing up. She also taught some of her grandchildren to play the Piano. Her Lord and Jesus Christ always came first for Ruth. She was a God-Fearing woman, always had a smile on her face. But her number one passion was her family: her 4 Children: Sons -Charles, William. Sylvester and Wanda her only daughter, 10 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 25 great great-grandchildren. Her grandchildren affectionately call her Nannie Ruth. She was what a Grandma should be caring, loving, and sweet. When she felt her granddaughters were old enough she taught them how to knit and crochet; she would make gifts for family members and her friends. Ruth also loved singing, reading her Bible, cooking, cleaning, sewing, going to garage sales and listening to great old Gospel music. She also had a passion for shopping and buying nice looking stylish clothes and hats for church. Her first home church in Lancaster was the Ebenezer Baptist Church. She attended the ordination service of her Cousin, Louis A. Butcher, Jr. When he returned to Lancaster to start a new Church in Lancaster by the name of Bright Side Missionary Baptist church, Ruth moved her membership and was the 8th member of the Church; she was a member for 37 years. She loved her Pastor Louis A. Butcher, Jr. and his wife Sis. Katie (Rodgers) Butcher and their children. She was a member of the First Usher Board, Missionary Society, Senior Choir, Adult Sunday School, Silver Threads, Kitchen Committee and Pastor’s Aid. Ruth loved the Lord and worked faithfully at Bright Side Baptist Church with the Baptism service making some of the first Baptism robes for new members to be baptized in. It brought her joy to see people come to Christ. The First Bright Side was located at a store front so curtains were needed and Ruth helped to make them with other members of the church. Her Prize activity was the Usher Annual Easter candy sale, it was a family event where everyone in Ruth’s family sold candy. Whatever needed to be done, Ruth was there to lend a helping hand so much that she was at church more than her home. But Ruth took ill in 2013 and could no longer go to Bright Side, but Bright Side came to her by visitations from Deacon Fred Waller and his family singing songs and serving her Communion. Card Ministry groups – Deacon Tony and his wife, Sis. Laura Jefferson, the Missionary board and the Youth department. The Family would like to thank you for showing your love to Sis. Ruth. Ruth leaves to cherish her life 10 Grandchildren, Gregory Woods of Louisiana, Darryl Woods of California, David (Diane) Woods of Michigan, Joyceann (Victor) Thomas of Lancaster, Marcei Woods of Bloomsburg ,Anthony (Debbie) Woods ,Robert (Rhonda) Woods of Harrisburg, Charles Woods, Charlise Woods all of Lancaster and Audriana Woods of Louisiana and 35 great-grandchildren, 25 great great-grandchildren, a special niece Christine Laws of York, 3 nephews and 2 nieces, one Daughter-in-law Betty Woods of California a host of loving cousins, numerous friends, and her Bright Side Family. She was preceded in death by her four children Charles, William, Sylvester, and Wanda. And her two sisters Anna Freeland, Emily Austin, one Daughter-in Law, Dorothy Woods, one Son-in-Law, David Gillespie and her Sister, Circle: Dorothiann Butcher, Olive Wilson, Loretta Harris, Rebecca Seals, Dorothy Calloway, Gladys Mack, Viola Calloway, and Jessie Stewart . We will miss you Nannie Ruth but now you are with your Lord Jesus Christ and united with ALL your Children………… Love You Nannie Homecoming Service will take place on Tuesday, January 30, 2018 at Bright Side Baptist Church, 515 Hershey Avenue, Lancaster PA 17603 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Louis A. Butcher, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow at Mellinger Mennonite Cemetery. A viewing will be held at the church from 10:00 -11:00 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bright Side “Mortgage Payoff Fund” at the above address.