"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

On the morning of February 26, 2008 God in His infinite wisdom and mercy took unto Himself the soul of one of his own, Francis Xavier Woodland "Frankie", 45 of Mechanicsville, Maryland, at St. Thomas More Nursing Center in Hyattsville, Maryland after a lengthy boast with cancer.

Born November 13, 1962, in St. Mary's County, Maryland, he was the youngest of 13 children born to Agnes M. Molden Woodland and the late Joseph H. Woodland. He attended St. Mary's County Public Schools. Francis also received his GED from the State of West Virginia in June 1981. Francis was baptized in 1963 and was a devoted Catholic. He held several jobs during his employment years, as a Ticket Agent for Diplomat Travel; Mail Clerk for American College of Health Care; Office Manager for National Technical Services Association, and last, as a cashier for Giant Foods before retiring due to his illness. He was a hard working and dedicated man. He was well liked and a good hearted person. He was well known for tracking and playing the daily lottery numbers. In his spare time, he enjoyed watching the soap operas, playing cards, listening to gospel music and spending time reminiscing with his nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Francis leaves to cherish loving and special memories, his mother Agnes M. Woodland, five sisters Thelma Graham (Arthur), Alice Young (Thomas), Mary Mills (Thomas), Annie Holley (James), Brenda Daniels and five brothers, Adrian Woodland (Thelma), James Woodland, Jerome Woodland (Agnes), John Woodland (Bonita), Charles Woodland (Shirley) and host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, Clayton Eugene and Thomas Matthews Woodland; maternal grandparents Thomas R. and Mary L. Molden; on niece (Sonja) and one nephew (Garrett), and several loving aunts and uncles.

The family will receive friends on Friday, February 29, 2008 from 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Mechanicsville, MD where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM with Fr. Peter Alliata officiating.

Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD. Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, P.A.