Pastor Elder Harry Wilson Woodley Sr.

"Blessed by the Best!" was a proclamation and return greeting to all he encountered! Thy good and faithful servant, Elder Harry Wilson Woodley Sr. was called from labor to reward on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, into the loving arms of his Father. 

    Elder Woodley was born to the late Johnnie and Mollie Williams in Brunswick, Virginia, 12th out of 14, on December 28, 1933. Elder Woodley said he loved to be with his mom and that she stayed on her knees in prayer, instilling in him early, the power of prayer. They were sharecroppers and the family moved many times, but Valentine was where they resided the longest and was considered home.  Harry recalled fond memories of a singing group that consisted of some of his brothers.  He comically shared that his older brother Sterling could only play one song, but he was the leader!

    Harry enlisted into the United States Air Force at 19 years old and was assigned to the 7531st ABRON APO 242(USAFE) in the Air Force from 1952 to 1954 and received the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.  Shortly after being discharged in Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn New York, he testified of stumbling to a pulpit in New York around 1961 and tarried until he received the Holy Ghost!  In the natural Harry had discharged from the military and enlisted in God’s spiritual army.  He received the Great Commission making disciples, baptizing, teaching, witnessing, and preaching everywhere he went.  Additionally, he gained experience as a certified nursing assistant and as a postman.  In New York is also where he met his first wife Doris.  Together they witnessed and moved to Virginia with his now deceased stepdaughter Gayle Prince(Centry).

    Shortly after moving to Virginia, Doris passed.  Elder Woodley met and wed Dorothy Prince at Refuge Temple in Petersburg, Va. in 1973.  Their 31-year union blessed them with 4 children: Jada Taylor (Avery), Harry Wilson Woodley Jr.(Lakesha), Jabunka Gabriel Woodley all of Virginia and Dorothy Gail Johnson (Russell) of California.  Harry worked all over the nation as a trackman for CSX Transportation and retired after 27 years. 

    In Emporia is where he built Garden of Prayer Way of the Cross Church.  Under his ministry in the small, but highly populated town of Emporia, many souls were ministered to in person or over the soundwaves of the local radio station, WEVA.  The adolescent ministry thrived as Elder Woodley traveled the city to transport them to church.  He was highly visible in his community as he conducted prayer walks and tent revivals, house/garage services, delivering tracts, and corner services spreading the word of God.  Elder Woodley considered himself a servant and hosted a community foodbank for over 10 years in Emporia.  He also visited and ministered in correctional facilities and nursing homes weekly, all while working, being a father and never missing a Sunday's church service.  Elder Woodley was ready to powerfully pray for anyone at a moment’s notice,   even pulling over to the side of the highway if driving! To be in his presence you felt the Holy Ghost Power and a sweet, humble spirit.

     In 2006, Elder Woodley married Carolyn Mitchell and pastored over Spiritual Aid Way of The Cross Church in Hampton, VA until his transition.  Harry was indeed a family man quoting "It is not good that man should be alone".  After the passing of Carolyn, he married Irene Benbow in 2017.  Irene was a devoted wife who never left her husband's side even during hospitalization.  Elder Woodley and Mother Irene Woodley made 90 look BLESSED.  They spent their time praying, reminiscing, and laughing at their working kids, famously saying "y;all better thank God for a job and somebody gotta do it" then look at each other and laugh. "The Benbow family (Cathy, Barbara, Leroy, Donald, Charles, Kelvin), took to Elder Woodley "Pop" as if they knew him for a lifetime as Regina was also dedicated to his health and well-being.

    Elder Woodley loved fishing with his cousin (Bug) and having fish fries.  He believed all you needed was the fish and cornbread!  He devoted his life to keeping the family together on bended knee in prayer, family reunions, and traveling the states for popup visits from "Uncle Jack".  He also enjoyed playing his guitar, tambourine and singing.

    Elder Woodley considered the Garden of Prayer members as family, they often would have dinner at his home on Sundays before returning to evening service at 6pm. His love was without measure for the Spiritual Aid members as well.  The Spiritual Aid family not only showed him honor as their leader but showed love by sitting, talking, and praying with him, daily (The Ford's and Williams), during the months of hospitalization, he was never alone.

    Everyone who had the honor and pleasure of meeting Elder Woodley certainly felt his love and good will for people.  He was about his father's business in preaching and sharing God's love, so that people would "not get ready but BE READY!".

    Finally, he LOVED "The Way of the Cross INTERNATIONAL Family" and they loved him.  Oh, the many conventions and services we enjoyed with him, what a blessing his life was to so many, can't begin to name you all but he loved everyone of you. He worshipped with many, many churches and again they were family.

    Elder Woodley leaves to cherish his memory his wife, children, stepchildren, brother Rudolph Woodley, grandchildren— Robeena, Jakea, Jhavey, Ayden, Aaron, Nevaeh, Alanah, Javon, Trevaughn, Sydney, Kendra, Sean, and great-grandchild August, Joseph, Ashley, Rolan and a host of nieces and nephews.

    He will be truly, truly, missed.

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