'There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens"

Ecclesiastes 3 1:8

A Time to be Born

Inez Viena Woods, daughter of the late James Jones and Inez Elizabeth Woods, was born

April 28, 1941, in Baltimore, Maryland. Inez was one of eight children.

A Time to Plant

Inez, loving called 'Butchie', received her formal education through the Baltimore City Public School System and graduated from Douglass Senior High School in 1959. At Douglass, Butchie was a member of the swim team; if you visit the school, you will see her picture proudly displayed with her swim team members. Sewing and decorating her home were two of her other God given talents. She delighted in making garments for her two girls and herself.

A Time to Build

Butchie was baptized at an early age and accepted Christ as her personal savior. She knew and loved the Lord and was a true servant of /warrior for God. She later found her home church at Southern Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland. She sang on several church choirs. She also was a member of 'The Vocal Choir Union' headed by Reverend Roosevelt Davenport, Jr., Pastor of New Pilgrim Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland. The Union's thirty-two member churches, A Cappella choir, sang throughout the state of Maryland. She was very passionate about her children and grandchildren attending church with her. She was a true believer of God's word and doer of His work "Train up a child in the way he should go …" Proverbs 22:6. Butchie was a true prayer warrior. She belonged to a weekly prayer group with prayer partners in North Carolina and Baltimore. Whatever the situation, she would say "let's pray about it".

Butchie's career spanned 38 plus years. She had several places of employment that included Whitehouse and Schapiro, a global textile trading company; London Fog, an American apparel company; and Carr Lowrey Glass Company. She spent the remainder of her career (30 years) at the Glass Company. Butchie was a hard worker, very knowledgeable and dedicated. Like the old saying "Is your mother a glass maker" - well actually Butchie was a glass maker. Samples of her work can be found in many china closets in the family. Butchie retired in 1997.

Butchie worked tirelessly for her community from her teen years until health issues prevented her from physically working in the community or attending community and board meetings. However, she continued assisting by way of the telephone. She served as a member of the Coldstream Homestead Montebello (CHM) Community Corporation Board, and for a period President of the Board. Butchie enjoyed working alongside Mary Pat Clarke, former Baltimore City Council President and representative, Doris Johnson, Baltimore activist and volunteer, Mark Washington, Executive Director, CHM Community Corporation, and members of the community to develop projects for improvements to the community. She practiced what she preached; you could find her walking with others to keep her community safe and clean. Butchie believed in improving the lives of children and youth through safe and enriching opportunities with play and recreation. She worked with the planning committee to create the playground adjacent to the YMCA on 33rd Street.