Back to Message Board

Candis Woody - Class of 1999

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 02/Aug/2023
71.223.76.177

  Candis Nicole Woody, a lifelong resident of Newburgh, NY entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 at Celebration Hospital in Kissimmee, Florida. Candis, better known as Duke, was born September 28, 1981 to Bishop Jeffrey C. & Dr. Denise R. Woody in Cold Spring, NY.

Candis was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Beta Thalassemia at birth and had her first major crisis at the age of three. From that point until her demise, Candis suffered through countless SC crises that caused her to have many extensive hospital stays. According to her childhood doctors, Candis wasn’t expected to live beyond her childhood. But by the grace of God, her praying parents, their faith in God, coupled with her drive and determination to fight, she lived far beyond their expectation.

Candis was educated in the Newburgh Enlarged City School District and is a graduate of Newburgh Free Academy. She furthered her education at Bradley Academy for Visual Arts and employed her knowledge at The Cathedral to enhance the ministry.

Candis was a founding member of the House of Refuge, now known as, The Cathedral at The House. During her tenure, Candis was a Sunday School teacher, choir member and soloist, founding security team member, drummer, and the president of the media dept. Candis was deemed The Cathedral's BEST Sunday School Teacher! She was always committed to making every lesson fun and intriguing. Which made every young person excited and ready for each class. As the media dept president, Candis was adamant about enhancing and evolving the audio/visual presentation of the ministry. She worked tirelessly to upgrade the sound system and equipment. Even with consistent pain in her body, Candis was always found serving the ministry faithfully and diligently.

Over the years her love for graphic design led her to invest time into further developing her craft. She took classes and spent countless hours viewing tutorials in order to help the ministry remain relevant in the 21st century. Candis was also an entrepreneur and birthed many businesses to include: Candyam Creations (jewelry), Candyam Candies, Duke's Photography, and her most current business venture A Buck Ten clothing line.

Candis leaves to cherish her memory: Her parents, Bishop Jeffrey C. & Dr. Denise R. Woody; seven siblings, Dena L. Walker (Gareth) of New Windsor, NY, Jasmine C. Rodgers (Jimmie) of Akron, OH, Pamela Woody, Jeffrey K. Woody and Ahndia Fryar all of Newburgh, NY, Rikki Pearson (Herman) of New Windsor, NY and Zamiyah "Shank" Waitley of Poughkeepsie, NY; one niece, Gabriella "Poot" Walker of New Windsor, NY; three nephews, Nyhiem Owens and Zaire Owens both of Cornwall, NY and Aaron "Mister" Rodgers of Akron, OH; one grandmother, Rosella Woody of Newburgh, NY; one great-grandmother Eddie B. Best of Newburgh, NY; one aunt, Natashia Johnson (Maurice) of Clarksville, TN; seven uncles, Joseph W. Woody, Jr. (Karen) of Kannapolis, NC, Stanley Williams (Josephine) of Newburgh, NY, Thomas E. Woody (Marjorie) of Bronx, NY, Jimmie L. Williams, Jr. of Schenectady, NY, Ricky A. Williams, Sr. of Greensboro, NC, Eric D. Wiliams (Cheryl) of Dumfries, VA, and Ronald Woody of Newburgh, NY; three Godchildren, Maurice Johnson of Dallas, TX, Casyi Burnett and Ryan Atkins both of Vails Gate, NY; her 'Drivers', Tyifa Ponder of Cornwall, NY and Gerard Jones of Newburgh, NY; her 'Nurse' Nashonda McDoe of Newburgh, NY; and Jonathan Garcia, whom she called her grandson of Newburgh, NY. She also leaves to cherish her memory a host of great aunts, great uncles, cousins and friends.

She was predeceased by her paternal grandfather, Joseph W. Woody, Sr.; her maternal grandparents, Jimmie L. Williams, Sr. and Charlie Will Arline Williams; her paternal great grandparents, Dr. James L. Best and Ada Pollock Best; her maternal great grandparents, Hilliard Arline, Sr. and Waldora Adams Arline and two uncles, Kenneth N. Williams and Terry L. Williams.

The family wishes to give a special thanks to the staff at the Celebration Hospital in Kissimmee, Florida for the great amount of care shown to our beloved Candis DaDuke Woody.

Candis will have a visitation 5-8 p.m., Friday, August 4, 2023 at Rhodes Funeral Homes Chapel, 18 Lake Street, Newburgh, NY. Final visitation 10-11 a.m., Saturday, August 5, 2023 at The Cathedral at The House, 131 Broadway, Newburgh, NY 12550. Celebration of Life 11:00 a.m. at the church. Entombment in Garden Mausoleum @ Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh, NY. Professional services entrusted to Rhodes Funeral Homes, 18 Lake Street, Newburgh, NY 12550. "Committed To Being The Very Best" Call us anytime 845-569-1233.