Florida Lee (Knighten) Woods

Florida Lee (Knighten) Woods, 85, was born on January 8, 1940, in Kansas City, Missouri to James Knighten and Catherine (Courtney) Knighten. She was loved and raised by her father and stepmother, Elnora Knighten after her mother's passing.

Florida was a lifelong resident of Kansas City, Missouri. She began work for the Kansas City School District as a cook, where she worked for five years. She then worked at Woodley Maintenance until her retirement.  Florida was a dedicated employee; the staff and management at Woodley Maintenance loved and respected her so much that whenever she referred someone, they would indeed hire them. There was a time when Florida and her husband David Sr. ran a cleaning business together. They worked well together. A true example of a great team.

On June 15, 1970, Florida married the love of her life, Mr. David C. Woods Sr. This blessed blended union included eight children and two stepchildren.

Florida accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized under the late Pastor Johnson at Zion Grove Baptist Church.  Later in life, Florida joined Rescue Baptist Church, she attended there until following her husband to Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church and was a faithful member there until the church closed.  Florida then was a pioneer and active member of her son's, Pastor David C. Woods Jr.'s church, "Faith Is Deliverance", until her health began to fail. She loved listening to gospel music, especially the music by The Williams Brothers and many other greats.

Florida's family meant the world to her. Spending time with them was her favorite thing to do. She especially loved babysitting her grandchildren and everyone else's children too. Florida loved cooking and watching "the men in tights" (WWE) on Monday nights and Lifetime movies. Florida was loving and kind. A very sweet, yet stern, but considerate woman, willing to help anyone in need. She never met a stranger. To know her was to love her.

Florida passed away on May 24, 2025, at her home in Kansas City, Missouri, surrounded by her family.

She was preceded into death by father, mother, stepmother and husband.  Also preceded by her daughter, Debra Williams; granddaughter, Nala Angela Woods; sisters: Theresa Williams and Doris Knighten; brothers: Willie Knighten, Harles Gaines and Billy Knighten; and special friend, Veronica Byers.

Left to cherish Florida's memory: her children: Billy Knighten (Drenda), Sheila Knighten, Carrie Knighten (fiancé, Keith Givens), Paul Williams (fiancé, Tymiria Sears), Theoplus Woods (bonus daughter & mother of Theoplus' eldest son, Tina Dooley), Pastor David Woods Jr. (Sandra), Jeanetta Woods, Sharon Woods; two stepchildren; thirty-three grandchildren, a host of great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren; sisters: Velma Wiggins, Artimease Dickerson, Shirley Slaughter and Winnie Townsend; brother, Nelson Brown; and other loving relatives and friends.