Obituary
June 5
In loving memory of Sandra Ann Scott-Woods, a beacon of light and love who graced this world from February 7, 1949, to May 21, 2024. Sandra was a cherished daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend whose presence brought joy to all who knew her. Born Sandra Ann Scott to Mary Will Perrin and George C. Scott in Newark, NJ; she was raised in a close-knit family with her five siblings: Gwendolyn, Patricia, Beverly, George, and John.
In 1966 Sandra graduated from Barringer High School, in Newark. After high school she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. Two years into her college career, she married her high school sweetheart, Barry M. Woods on April 28, 1968. Sandra was a dedicated military wife traveling across the country and overseas. Barry’s final assignment was at the Ft. Monmouth Army Base in Eatontown, NJ, where he retired in 1980. The couple then settled in Tinton Falls, NJ, until their eventual divorce in 1985.
During her 17-year marriage, Sandra had three children with Barry: Adrienne Michelle, Barry Martin Jr. and Carlos Maurice. In 1984, after the death of Barry’s sister Frances Woods-Mack, Sandra adopted her nephew Sonny Khalief Mack and raised him as her own.
Her four children graduated from Monmouth Regional High School, where Sandra was well-known for her loud cheers supporting the Falcons. Sandra was a fixture on Howard Avenue and in the neighborhood (affectionately called “The Fruit Bowl” due to the street names). Her house was known for the basement parties, backyard cookouts, and a haven to those who needed a place to rest their heads. She was everyone's momma, never hesitating to hand you a rake or trash bag and put you to work.
For many years Sandra used her home as a halfway house to provide a substance-free, healthy, safe, and family-like environment that supported recovery for people struggling with drugs, alcohol, mental health or incarceration.
Sandra had many talents and careers throughout her life, most notably she was a professional seamstress working in bridal shops and designing clothes for herself, her children and others. She had a long career as a Real Estate Agent and Broker, opening her own agency Red Bank Realty, in Red Bank, NJ. Toward the end of her career, she was the Property Manager for River Street Commons, and a Project Manager for Easterseals of New Jersey, supporting people living with disabilities and special needs.
Sandra was an active member of the community, volunteering her time with organizations, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) the Greater Red Bank Chapter, and the New Jersey Pan-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NJ-PACCI), Inc. She also was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church in Red Bank, NJ.
The African proverb "It takes a village" perfectly describes Sandra Woods' life. On July 10, 2002, Sandra Woods received a kidney from her daughter, Adrienne Woods-Reagins, in a 6-hour surgery at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ. This life-changing event not only affected Sandra and Adrienne, but also their extended family and friends who supported them. Sandra's successful kidney transplant extended her life by 22 years!
On December 8, 2014, Sandra was diagnosed with inoperable brain lymphoma, caused by the anti-rejection drug used to support her transplant. For the next 10 years, her 4 children dedicated themselves to Sandra's care. Carlos, her youngest son, became a Certified Nurse Aide and cared for her full-time, he was her hero! Barry, her middle son, provided advocacy and support. Her nephew and adopted son, Khalief, a professional chef, moved his family from Maryland to New Jersey to ensure Sandra's nutritional needs were met. Adrienne managed her administrative needs as Power of Attorney.
Sandra's journey is proof that organ donation is the gift of longevity. Her life has inspired her children to start THE SANDRA Fund (Support & Awareness Network for Donors, Recipients and Advocates) that seeks to have a profound impact on organ donations in communities of color.
Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, Mary W. Perrin Scott-Cook and George C. Scott, her siblings Patricia M. Scott-Southerland and John L. Scott, and her nephew George L. Ross. Sandra leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Adrienne Woods-Reagins (Michael), her sons, Barry Woods Jr. (Patricia), Carlos Woods (Stephanie), Sonny Khalief Mack (Shannen), her siblings Gwendolyn Scott-Ross, Beverly J. Scott-Goss, George J. Scott (Earline), her sister-in-law Barbara N. Woods, her dearest friend Deborah Winn-Hill, 14 grandchildren: Kamilah, Makeda, DeAngelus, Alexis, Hunter, Treasure, Carlos Jr., Tiara, Caden, Tylaia, Jonathan, Xavier, Khalil and Elijah, great-grand-children, Alana and Brooklyn, as well as, a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and dear friends.
In 1966 Sandra graduated from Barringer High School, in Newark. After high school she attended the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York. Two years into her college career, she married her high school sweetheart, Barry M. Woods on April 28, 1968. Sandra was a dedicated military wife traveling across the country and overseas. Barry’s final assignment was at the Ft. Monmouth Army Base in Eatontown, NJ, where he retired in 1980. The couple then settled in Tinton Falls, NJ, until their eventual divorce in 1985.
During her 17-year marriage, Sandra had three children with Barry: Adrienne Michelle, Barry Martin Jr. and Carlos Maurice. In 1984, after the death of Barry’s sister Frances Woods-Mack, Sandra adopted her nephew Sonny Khalief Mack and raised him as her own.
Her four children graduated from Monmouth Regional High School, where Sandra was well-known for her loud cheers supporting the Falcons. Sandra was a fixture on Howard Avenue and in the neighborhood (affectionately called “The Fruit Bowl” due to the street names). Her house was known for the basement parties, backyard cookouts, and a haven to those who needed a place to rest their heads. She was everyone's momma, never hesitating to hand you a rake or trash bag and put you to work.
For many years Sandra used her home as a halfway house to provide a substance-free, healthy, safe, and family-like environment that supported recovery for people struggling with drugs, alcohol, mental health or incarceration.
Sandra had many talents and careers throughout her life, most notably she was a professional seamstress working in bridal shops and designing clothes for herself, her children and others. She had a long career as a Real Estate Agent and Broker, opening her own agency Red Bank Realty, in Red Bank, NJ. Toward the end of her career, she was the Property Manager for River Street Commons, and a Project Manager for Easterseals of New Jersey, supporting people living with disabilities and special needs.
Sandra was an active member of the community, volunteering her time with organizations, such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) the Greater Red Bank Chapter, and the New Jersey Pan-African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NJ-PACCI), Inc. She also was a long-time member of Calvary Baptist Church in Red Bank, NJ.
The African proverb "It takes a village" perfectly describes Sandra Woods' life. On July 10, 2002, Sandra Woods received a kidney from her daughter, Adrienne Woods-Reagins, in a 6-hour surgery at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, NJ. This life-changing event not only affected Sandra and Adrienne, but also their extended family and friends who supported them. Sandra's successful kidney transplant extended her life by 22 years!
On December 8, 2014, Sandra was diagnosed with inoperable brain lymphoma, caused by the anti-rejection drug used to support her transplant. For the next 10 years, her 4 children dedicated themselves to Sandra's care. Carlos, her youngest son, became a Certified Nurse Aide and cared for her full-time, he was her hero! Barry, her middle son, provided advocacy and support. Her nephew and adopted son, Khalief, a professional chef, moved his family from Maryland to New Jersey to ensure Sandra's nutritional needs were met. Adrienne managed her administrative needs as Power of Attorney.
Sandra's journey is proof that organ donation is the gift of longevity. Her life has inspired her children to start THE SANDRA Fund (Support & Awareness Network for Donors, Recipients and Advocates) that seeks to have a profound impact on organ donations in communities of color.
Sandra was preceded in death by her parents, Mary W. Perrin Scott-Cook and George C. Scott, her siblings Patricia M. Scott-Southerland and John L. Scott, and her nephew George L. Ross. Sandra leaves to cherish her memory: her daughter, Adrienne Woods-Reagins (Michael), her sons, Barry Woods Jr. (Patricia), Carlos Woods (Stephanie), Sonny Khalief Mack (Shannen), her siblings Gwendolyn Scott-Ross, Beverly J. Scott-Goss, George J. Scott (Earline), her sister-in-law Barbara N. Woods, her dearest friend Deborah Winn-Hill, 14 grandchildren: Kamilah, Makeda, DeAngelus, Alexis, Hunter, Treasure, Carlos Jr., Tiara, Caden, Tylaia, Jonathan, Xavier, Khalil and Elijah, great-grand-children, Alana and Brooklyn, as well as, a multitude of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and dear friends.
