CGome^om^ Celebration
for
Qfbister Qfbhirlep fWoodlep
Date of Death
May 25, 2017
Date of Birth
December 21,
Thursday, June 1,2017
11:00 am
Tabernacle Baptist Church
1223 Laney Walker Boulevard
August GA 30901
Reverend Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr. ~ Pastor/Teacher
Officiating
0bituarp
Ms. Shirley Ann Williams Nixon Woodley (affectionately known as Shirley) passed
peacefully at home in her sleep. She was a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and
bom to the late Bessie Mae and James Williams on December 21, 1946. She departed
this life on Thursday, May 25, 2017.
Ms. Woodley was raised in Philadelphia, PA and was educated in the Pennsylvania
School System. Upon graduating from High School she moved to Augusta, Georgia.
Ms. Woodley was a long-time faithful and loyal member of the Historic Tabernacle
Baptist Church. She was involved in numerous ministries and was dedicated to singing in
the Sanctuary and Mass Choirs. She was an avid Sunday School participate and fervent
Prayer Warrior. She volunteered her gifts and talents each year during Vacation Bible
School. She would exhaust all efforts each year to rally donations from community
resources for the C.S. Hamilton Scholarship Morehouse Concert Fundraiser, Back 2
School, and Annual Christmas Toyland events.
Ms. Woodley also worked as a compassionate Caregiver and for years provided excellent
and dependable care to numerous patients and their families.
Ms. Woodley was a trailblazer who changed the trajectory of so many peoples lives not
just locally but throughout the United States. A community activist, she will be noted
and remembered for her decades of campaigning for many politicians to include
impactful voter registration drives and has been the supportive catalyst for ensuring that
thousands of voters were signed up and registered in order to meet their civic
obligations. The most recent focused registration drive and chartered bus excursion was
during former President Barack Obamas election. As results for her tireless efforts, she
was invited to attend his initial inauguration ceremony in January 2009.
Ms. Woodley was preceded in death by her parents; one grandson; a brother, James
Williams; adopted mama, Mrs. Nora Pope.
Survivors are two sons, Sammie Dorsey and Vernon Dorsey; one sister, Mary Winfield,
all of Augusta, GA; five grandchildren; one great granddaughter; and a host of cousins
and friends.
Reverend Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr. - Officiating / Presiding
Processional..........................
Call to Worship.......................
Scriptures
Old Testament: Psalm 23..............
New Testament: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58
...........Tabernacle Music Ministry
.Reverend Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr.
............Reverend Norman Kelley
............Reverend Zebra Jefferson
Prayer of Comfort...........................................Reverend Dr. Wanda Richardson
Selection..........................................................Tabernacle Music Ministry
Reflections..............................................................(2 Minutes - Please)
Miss Shania Dorsey (Granddaughter)
Deacon Robert Flash' Gordon (Church Member)
Ms. Lucy Patina (Friend)
Ms. Debbie Miller (Friend)
Obituary..................................................................Read Silently
Acknowledgements...............................................Ms. Charlene Patterson
Selection......................................................Tabernacle Music Ministry
Eulogy..............................................Reverend Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr.
Committal...........................................Reverend Dr. Charles E. Goodman, Jr.
Recessional....................................................Tabernacle Music Ministry
Repast
Tabernacle Baptist Church Family Life Center
1230 Laney Walker Boulevard
Augusta, GA 30901
IM FREE
Dont grieve for me, for now Im free,
Im following the path God laid for me.
I took his hand when I heard him call,
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that place at the close of the day.
If parting has left a void,
Then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss,
Ah yes, these things I, too, will miss.
Be not burdened with time of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My lifes been full, 1 savored much,
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Dont lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me.
God wanted me now, He set me free.
- Author Unknown -
ACTIVE PALLBEARERS
Deacons Ministry of Tabernacle Baptist Church
FLOWER BEARERS
Usher Ministry of Tabernacle Baptist Church
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Dorsey/Woodley Family deeply appreciates the many expressions of love, concern, and
kindness shown to us during this time of bereavement. My God bless you and keep you.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ENTRUSTED TO:
W.H. Mays Mortuary
1221 James Brown Boulevard
Augusta, GA 30901
706.722.6401