JACKSON — Deborah J. Woods, 61, formerly of Oxford, died Sunday, May 15, 2016, at Select Specialty Hospital in Jackson. A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Grays Chapel C.M.E. Church in Hudsonville with Pastor Brian Davis officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday from noon until service time at the church. Serenity Martin Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Born in Belhaven, North Carolina, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from North Carolina A&T State University. She pursued graduate studies at the University of Mississippi and earned an advanced degree in educational leadership. She spent her life singing with various groups and as a solo artist, teaching and working in the field of chemistry.

She is survived by her husband of 30 years, Eddie Woods of Oxford; daughters Tiffiany and Rashae; step-sons Calvin, Tracy, Marcus, Jeremy and Chris; sisters Clareace of New Jersey, Kareen, Carroll, Angela and Tereasa, all of North Carolina, Evangelyn of Indiana and Rachelle of Georgia; three grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.