Watch a beautiful tribute song created on the spot by Pastor, speaker and concert pianist, the late Dr. Richard Farmer.
Evelyn McNeil Woodson was an early Christmas gift to Alberta and Oscar McNeil when she arrived on December 22, 1926. She was the seventh of twelve children, and her life would become a lasting testimony of faith, education, service, and devotion to family.
Evelyn attended Philadelphia public schools and graduated from South Philadelphia High School for Girls in 1945. She graduated from West Chester State College in 1949 and later earned a master’s degree in education from West Chester University. Her commitment to learning continued through advanced studies at Temple University, Philadelphia Biblical University, and Palmer Theological Seminary.
At age six, Evelyn accepted Christ as her Savior at Christian Union Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
When she was twelve years old, she began her Christian teaching ministry in Sunday school and Vacation Bible School. That early calling to teach shaped much of her life. For thirty-four years, she taught in elementary schools and served as a guidance counselor in a middle school in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
Evelyn and James Adam Woodson were married on August 19, 1950, and God blessed their union with two sons, Terrance and Maurice. James served his country during World War II from 1943 to 1946 in the 477th Air Force Squadron, Medium Bomber Group. He later attended Manna Bible Institute night school for many years, graduating in May 1991 from the Philadelphia campus.
He put his training to good use as a church Sunday school teacher for more than fifty years and as a Bible teacher at the Ardmore Senior Center for more than seventeen years. He enjoyed sharing the good news of salvation with his students, living out his belief in Proverbs 11:30: “He that winneth souls is wise.” James and Evelyn celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary on August 19, 2010.
Alberta McNeil
Evelyn McNeil Woodson’s Mother
Their son, Terrance, became a full-time pastor at Bethel Bible Fellowship in Carrollton, Texas. Maurice retired from corporate sales and served as a fundraiser for Crossroads Bible College in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The Woodson family joined Saints Memorial Baptist Church in 1971. In September of that year, Evelyn founded the women’s Bible class, which was later renamed the Midweek Bible Class. She taught the class for twenty-seven years. She also taught the young adult class in church school and volunteered as a pianist for church school and midweek prayer meetings.
In her later years, one of Evelyn Woodson’s deepest passions was introducing children and adults to the African presence in the Bible. She conducted workshops for three summers in an Elderhostel program and taught the subject for fourteen years at a senior center on the Main Line outside Philadelphia. Through this teaching, she helped many people better appreciate the all-inclusiveness of God’s Word.
Evelyn McNeil Woodson’s legacy is one of steadfast faith, lifelong learning, devoted teaching, and generous service. Her life reflected a deep desire to share God’s truth, strengthen her family, and encourage others to see the fullness and welcome of God’s Word.
Her most important legacy is being married to James Woodson for over 60 years, and being blessed with two sons Dr. Terrance Woodson, D. Min and Maurice Woodson who gave her six grandchildren.
