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Mrs. Thomina Lee Gilliams Wooden, 88, of Fort Washington died Friday at her home. She was the wife of the late William Henry Wooden, and was preceded in death by a daughter, Joyce Simmons, and her only sister, Mrs. Eloise Gilliams Rome. Mrs. Wooden was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Oliver and Tempie Gilliams.

At an early age, she accepted Christ at St. John Church of Christ — Disciples of Christ in Washington, N.C. Mrs. Wooden was a diligent, committed member who served as a youth Sunday school teacher. She would travel 25 miles from her home to church on Saturday to submit her lesson plans and organize her classroom for Sunday school.

Mrs. Wooden was a Bible scholar. She attended biblical classes on training for church service; served as the church secretary of the vault club and as the church treasurer; and sang in the Senior Choir. In 1998, Mrs. Wooden moved to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area because of her illness and to live with her daughters.

She became a member of Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton and was an active member. She was a diligent housewife, as well as record-keeper of the Wooden farm. She raised five children and one grandson, the late Ray.

Mrs. Wooden was educated in the Washington City Public Schools and employed as a caregiver by the Martin County Health Department. She visited and cared for the sick, elderly and anyone who needed a home-cooked meal. Mrs. Wooden was a tenacious woman — she passed her driver's license test at 60. Mrs. Wooden had a passion for quilting, sewing, baking and reading the scriptures.

She is survived by daughter Susie Tobias, whose husband, Nathaniel, is deceased; daughter Judy Bowden and husband Frank; son William Oliver Wooden; son Vernon Wooten and wife Gwen; son-in-law Roosevelt Simmons, 13 grandchildren; godson Willie Lee Arnold; and a host of nieces, nephews, great-grandchildren, as well as a myriad of friends.

Services were held Wednesday at Mt. Ennon Baptist Church, with arrangements by Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., in Indian Head.

Services also will be held at noon Friday at St. John Church of Christ, 2283 St. John Church Road, Washington, N.C., with interment at Woodlawn Cemetery in Williamston, N.C. Arrangements are by Randolph Funeral Home in Washington, N.C.