John Wooden Sr

JOHN WESLEY WOODEN, SR., son of the late Abe Eugene and Carrie Mae Wooden, was born January 31, 1953, in Columbus Ohio. He attended Columbus City Schools and was a graduate of Linden McKinley High School. He retired from the City of Columbus Refuse Collection Department with over 20 years of dedicated service. After living with pancreatic cancer for over 2½ years, John transitioned peacefully on January 9, 2017, at OSU James Cancer Hospital with Ronda, his loving wife of 35 years, by his side. In September 2011, John joined The Tabernacle Baptist Church and was baptized in October 2011. He was faithful in his commitment to the Brotherhood Chorus, Gleaners Sunday School Class, Wednesday Bible Study and Prayer Service, Church Anniversary and Pastor Appreciation Committees. John was a person with a passionate heart for God, an unfailing love and hope for people. There wasn’t a stranger he met that didn’t leave him as a friend, knowing that there is a better friend in Jesus. Determined to be a walking demonstration of God’s love, John would give his hands, feet and resources to help anyone in need. Regardless of the person, what they had done or where they were in their life’s journey, John would simply BE God’s LOVE. As a result of his life’s work, he has touched the lives of many, giving them the experience of love, hope and inspiration, teaching us all to love each other where we are and to let God do the rest. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; sisters, Donna Littlefield and Elizabeth Hairston; and brothers, Charles Eugene Wooden, Sr. and Joseph Anthony Wooden, Sr. His life of love will forever be cherished in the lives of his loving wife of 35 years, Ronda; daughters, Shonda (Marlin, Sr.) Byron of Columbus, Ohio, Aloma (Charles, Jr.) Bryson of Charlotte, North Carolina, Kawanna Coleman, Bianca (Gerald) Jackson of Columbus, Ohio; son John (Morgan) Wooden, Jr. of Columbus, Ohio; sister, Marcella (Sam) Mitchell of Dayton, Ohio; uncle, Herbert (Linda) Wilks of Columbus, Ohio; aunts, Naomi Wilks, Marcella Wilks, Dorothy Wooden, and Sylvia Wooden, all of Columbus, Ohio; 16 grandchildren; 1 great-grandson; and a host of devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends whom he dearly loved. Reception: Tabernacle Baptist Church 2188 Woodward Avenue Columbus, OH 43219