Paula Hairston Woods

August 26, 1950 - January 19, 2025

Paula Yvonne (Hairston) Woods

Beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. She was born in Milburn, WV on August 26, 1950. She loved to help and assist family, friends and strangers. She lived her mission in life to be of service to others. She showed so much love, compassion and forgiveness for herself and other people. She passed away on January 19, 2025 at home while in hospice care.

Paula was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse J. Hairston and Catherine E. (Smith) Hairston; her husband, Samuel Woods II, and her eldest daughter, Kimberly H. (Hairston) Yelinek.

She is survived by her sister, Angenette Pickens, of Roanoke, VA; her daughters, Kristy Woods, of Roanoke, VA and Kelly Woods, of Charlotte, NC; her grandchildren, Evan Yelinek, Christian Yelinek, and Jordan Yelinek, all of Lexington, VA; her niece, Jada Pickens, of Roanoke, VA; her nephew, Frank Pickens, of Charlotte, NC; her great nieces, Kiara Pickens, Kayla Pickens-Saunders, and Keeleigh Pickens, all of Roanoke, VA; special cousin, Cheryl Greene, of Charleston, WV; and many other beloved family members in Roanoke, VA and Charleston, WV.

Paula was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses for over 50 years. She began studying the Bible with Witnesses in December 1973 and was baptized on January 5, 1975. Paula raised her three daughters (Kimberly, Kristy, and Kelly) to know and love Jehovah as she did. She did this, not just by her words, but by her deeds. Paula dearly loved her God, Jehovah, and had complete faith in him. Her main focus in life was to teach others about Jehovah and his promises as found in the Bible.

Paula loved being a mother to her three daughters. They were her pride and joy. She proudly bragged about them whenever she could. Later in life, when her grandchildren were born, she greatly enjoyed caring for them and proudly bragged about them as well.

Paula was a retired teacher and social worker. She worked for many years giving selflessly to all she met. She utilized her resources to assist those in need within the community. To this day she is well respected and fondly remembered by the many lives she touched. She will be dearly missed.

Her memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses located at 3359 Colonial Avenue SW, Roanoke VA. To live stream the service, please use zoom ID 142 176 284 pw 705744. A visitation will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, at the Electric Road location of Simpson Funeral Home. 3912 Electric Road, Roanoke VA 24018. Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home Electric Road. (540) 366-0707.