On August 20, 2008, my mother, Charlie Bell Woodring, passed away.  She was born on April 24, 1914 and lived more than 94 wonderful years.  She was the most wonderful mother a son could have.  Always there for me.  My mother was born in Wadesboro, North Carolina.  As a young woman she worked in the Reynolds Tobacco plant in Winston-Salem.  On my recent book signing in Winston Salem, the owner of the Special Occasions Bookstore was kind enough to show me the old building in which my mother worked.  She moved to Cleveland, Ohio where she met and married my father, Paul L. Woodring Sr. on January 26, 1939.  My mother is also the mother of my half sister, Ruby Mask Jefferson.  She was a devoted wife and mother and worked a full time job as she and my father labored to give me a good young life.  In 1986 she won the Ohio lottery and so her life after retirement was enhanced by the ability to attain her financial dreams, including a new house in Beachwood, Ohio.  

My mother was a kind a person as God ever put on this earth.  She carried her burdens with grace right up to the end when she was worried about who would take care of my father. She hardly ever had a harsh word for anyone.  I will miss her.  But I know she is in a better place at this time and that she is watching over me more than ever.

Paul L. Woodring Jr.

Go here for a musical tribute.