Carole (Lansing) Woods

The Lord presented Carole Evangeline (Cooper) Woods as the only child to Francelia Cooper and Joseph McLewis on May 9, 1938 in Lansing, Michigan and she transitioned to Heaven on October 17, 2016.


As a young girl she accepted Christ in to her life at West Lansing Church of God and served Him throughout her life. She attended Lansing Schools. During her teen years Caroles mother met and married Thomas Russell who loved Carole as if she were his very own. He treated her special and she became Daddys Girl. Carole attended DeSable High School in Chicago. As a young lady Carole returned to Lansing, Michigan where she met and married Richard Murchison; to that union was born two children Darnell and Paula. Later, Carole met and married Tom Woods and were married for 48 years until he preceded her in death.


Carole loved and adored her children with all her heart. She was always there to support them. When they would do things she didnt agree with she would let them know that God sees it all. She would tell them the Formula is easy. Carole was always honest and kept it real with everyone she came into contact with. She would leave all with the salutation love you more. Carole had a special bond with cousins Meredith and Clark Cooper who were more like her siblings than they were like cousins. They were there constantly supporting one another throughout their lives.


Carole was active in the community, starting the Parent Support Network after the death of her oldest grandchild, Montrell. Due to the problems she saw in the Lansing School system, she set out on a path for advocacy for parents and children, where there wasnt any. As a result of the Parent Support Network, many parents were able to go to the schools who hadnt done so before and advocate for fairness for their children. Carole vowed to help to never lose another child due to the ineffectiveness of the supports that were offered in the system. She worked tirelessly to insure that there was a system of supports for all who needed them. She would personally assist parents as needed. She worked to get a system of supports for single parents and their families. Carole would attend conferences, meetings, expulsion hearing and worked to keep children in school as opposed to them just being expelled and discarded.


El-Haj-Malik-El-Shabazz Academy was birthed from the Parent Support Network efforts and is still functioning till this day to aid in the education of children with an on-board support system to help children and their families succeed.


Carole continued to work with families and children to help them in any way she could until the end of her life. Carole became affectionately known as Mama Carole to many. She was a great friend, kind supporter and always had words of wisdom and kindness for all who would listen. She loved working in her yard, cooking, crossword puzzles, iced tea as well as doing projects around her house and always was a welcoming hostess to all who came.


On Monday, October 17, 2016, Carole transitioned to heaven, leaving behind to cherish her memories, her children, Darnell and Paula Murchison; grandchildren Etoi and, Darnell, Jr., Lansing, Michigan and Moneka, Mississippi; great grandchildren, Derrick Foy and Jalaiah Griffin; brothers, Butch and Bob Russell, Flint, Michigan; uncle, Alpheus Cooper; aunt, Florine Roper; and 19 first cousins. Those close to her heart: (Just to name a few) Ada, April, Emma & Jan, Barb Swan, Bobbie Sudduth, Barb Edmonds, Bonnie, Cheryl, Johnnie Sudduth (Godson), Mary Mullen, Mickey, Tammie, Trina, Terra, Liz, Londell, Darnelle, Wanda, Ann Woods, and many other relatives and friends.