Ernesteen Dorsey Woods of Clarkesville, Georgia, went to her heavenly rewards on June 8, 2021. She was born on July 12, 1931. to Ernest Hayes Dorsey and Vera Nix Dorsey in Clermont, Georgia.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Ernest Hal Woods, Jr., Her son-in-law Edward (Ebbie) Strain, and grandson, Jason E. Fowler.
She is survived by a daughter, Barbara Alice Woods Strain, son Ernest Hal Woods, III (Bucky) and daughter-in-law Juliann, Brothers and sisters-in-law Doug Dorsey and Renee, Don Dorsey and Nancy. Grandson and wife: Jon Michael Strain and Catherine, Granddaughter and husband Melinda Woods Cowart and Brett Cowart, Great Grandchildren, Ebby and Woods Strain, Jayce and Jayde Baxter and Zaedon and Killian Cowart, and many cherished nieces, nephews, and cousins, and, special friends Don and Tootie Hayhurst.
Teen (Nana) was a soft, quiet, but always gracious Southern lady who used her Scripture and recipes daily and with passion. A lifetime of studying the Bible, Teen could hold her own with anyone in a theological discussion. She gardened like there would be no tomorrow and prayed every day like it was her last. Her cooking specialties were fried okra, sweet tea, and sausage gravy. She had a quick sense of humor, with a sharp but sweet wit. Principled, but never judgmental (unless you wore white shoes after Labor Day). Teen cherished her role as Mother and Grandmother often to those not even related. The consummate entertainer and hostess, she opened her home to her family’s friends, foreign students, missionaries, pastors and their families. If she picked you as her friend, you were in for a lifetime of love and loyalty.
A fairytale love story began when she, at seventeen, married “Hal Jr.” and it continued for seventy-one years with bound devotion to each other and their common goals. Usually, in his shadow, Teen supported all his endeavors from furniture stores, real estate sales and development, car dealership, magazine publications, poultry and apple farming to missions. An avid antique collector, she preferred the “old stuff” much more than the new he sold. Folks in Clarkesville chuckled when Teen drove through town in a Woods truck filled to the brim with what Hal called chicken house junk. Although she stood firmly by his side, she could give him a certain look that kept him in check — most of the time.
A Southern Baptist believer, she taught Sunday school and led various mission organizations but was mostly committed to Backyard Bible Clubs through Child Evangelism Fellowship International. She was a member of Harvest Bible Fellowship.
The family acknowledges with appreciation Dr. Stuart Sanders and staff, Matthew Rabern and Amedisys Hospice, Magnolia Hills Assisted Living, along with caregivers Teresa Kelly, Kellie Stephens, and Becky Dowdy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Habersham Rotary Club Scholarship Strain- Woods family fund: P O Box 513 Cornelia, Georgia 30531, or Harvest Bible Fellowship, 1275 Deer Trail Lakes Drive, Clarkesville, Georgia 30523.
A celebration of life will be held on June 12, 2021, at Noon at Hillside Memorial Chapel and Gardens in Clarkesville, Georgia, with visitation from 10:00 a.m. until Noon. Serving as honorary pallbearers are: Mickey Hyder, Chase Hyder, Charlie McGugan, Bill Camp, Bill Chamblee, and Chan Caudell.
Arrangements by Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256
