Woodland, Phillis Olivia
Birth: Wednesday, April 11, 1956
Residence: Indian Head, Maryland
Death: Thursday, January 04, 2018 at the age of 61
Laid to Rest: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 in the Zion Baptist Church Cemetery, Welcome, Maryland
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Rev. Dr. Phillis Olivia Gassaway Woodland, 61 of Indian Head, Maryland. Phillis G. Woodland was born April 11, 1956 in Nanjemoy, Maryland to the late Lemuel Henry Henson Jr. and Minnie Marie Gassaway Henson. She entered into eternal rest on Thursday, January 4, 2018. Phillis was raised in Southern Maryland and educated in the Charles County Public School System graduating from Henry E. Lackey High School in 1975. For over 35 years, Phillis has been a member of Zion Baptist Church in Welcome, Maryland and participated in many ministries and auxiliaries throughout her life. Some of them include: The Couples Ministry, Senior Adult Ministry, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Women's Ministry, the Gospel Chorus and the Life Styles of Maryland Inc. Safe Night program.

She was called into the Gospel Ministry in 1998 and became an ordained Minister at Zion Baptist Church in Welcome, Maryland in 2003 then went on to receive a Doctorate Degree in Theology from Breakthrough Bible College. Rev. Woodland made trail blazing history by becoming one of the first women in Charles County to be ordained and licensed in a Black Baptist Church. To say that she was a prayer warrior really does not do this woman of faith justice and she loved to pray and commune with her God both day and night.

As a retired Acquisition Specialist for the United States Department of Defense on Indian Head Naval Base, she met and later married her loving husband, William (AKA Joe or "Ducky") Woodland. During their marriage of 29 years, they were blessed with two children, Brittany and Jonathan Woodland. It was her long-standing prayer that God would allow her to see her children graduate from High School and the Lord answered her abundantly above all that she could have ever asked or thought, by allowing Phillis to see Jonathan receive his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice and Brittany receive both a Bachelor's Degree in English and Master's Degree in Communications.

Phillis was full of life and encouraging words. She adored children and had such a strong, loving, and nurturing spirit. In her spare time, she loved to bake cakes and pies, talk on the phone, do crosswords puzzles and listen to gospel music.

Phillis was considered to be the matriarch of her family and will truly be missed. In addition, Phillis is preceded in death by her three brothers: John Gassaway, Larry Gasaway and Scott Henson. Phillis is survived by her beloved husband, William Sylvester Woodland, her two children, Brittany Channel Woodland and Jonathan Omar Woodland, three sisters: Linon Gassaway-Melton (Ronald), Minister Cynthia Stevenson-Roberson (Paul), Colette M. Henson, four brothers: David Henson, Stanley Hattan, Clifton Linkins and Tyrone Linkins, two God children: Treanna Tibbs and Tyrell Ross along with a host of nieces, nephews, loved ones and friends.

Viewing 10:00 am until time of service at 11:00 am, Wednesday, January 10, 2017 at Zion Baptist Church, 8105 Annapolis Woods Road, Welcome, Maryland 20693. Interment, Church Cemetery. Arrangements by Thornton funeral Home.
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