Ms. Eleanor Wooten

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. (John 5:24) On November 17, 2021 at a rightfully age of 89, God reclaimed His own our beloved Eleanor Dalphenia Simmons Wooten was called home. Born October 22, 1932 to the late William and Hattie Simmons in Hyde County. At and early age Eleanor (aka Dal) moved to Martin County. Upon graduating from Hyde County Training Schools, in May of 1961 she married her best friend and soul mate Aaron Kurfew Wooten. Eleanor was a devoted member of Jobe’s Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Swan Quarter, North Carolina. She was a member of the senior choir, later growing into the role of Mother were she served faithfully, under the leadership of Bishop Levi Murray until her health declined. Mother Wooten worked as a beautician for several years. Later she became a Nutritionist in the WIC office of the Hyde, Martin, Tyrell Health Departments. She loved the traveling and meeting people. Her love was watching the children grow and being a part in keeping them healthy. She served in this capacity for over thirty five years before retiring. Mother Wooten not only loved her job but her first love was God, second was her duty as a wife, her family and friends. She would sprinkle a lot of love in each meal she prepared. She loved to cook and entertain. Every niece, nephew, cousin, and friend was always special in her heart. She loved to speak of growing up in Hyde County, reminiscing on the March, and older family members she always a story to tell that would make you laugh. She cherished her position as Mother of the church, and loved wearing the big fancy hats. She would say “some people say they can’t see past the hats, but you know they are supposed to be hearers of the Word not seers.” She also loved talking to the young ladies who were assigned to her, she took that job personally, it was her duty to watch them grow into women after God’s heart and become diligent workers for Christ. Mother Wooten was a devoted wife and mother to many. In her leisure time she loved to read the Bible study the Word, attend Sunday School, Jobes Chapel Women Ministry, and cooking. She enjoyed family and was always trying to find ways to bring them together for a meal. She was always there to lend a hand when she could, and would go to battle for anyone in the name of her Savior. Mother Wooten was preceded in death by three brothers; Willie Simmons, James Arthur Simmons, William Henry Simmons, a sister Lillian Ormond and a great nephew Raynard (Ray) Benthall whom she helped rear. Left to cherish her memory are a husband Aaron Kurfew Wooten; five sisters: Julia Reed (MD), Mary Gibbs (DC), Claudia Biggs (DC), and Addie Haslon (John) (NJ), Marlene McCabe (NC); two brothers Haywood Simmons (Sandra) (MD), Bernice Simmons (Barbara) (VA); She had a hand in rearing one nephew Ronnie Stephens of NJ, two great nephews James Lawrence Biggs (DC), and William Donnie Benthall (NY); a niece: Jackie Slater (GA); and a god daughter Melody Meade (NJ). Each niece, nephew, cousin, and friend was made to feel special each time they came into her presence. She was just as proud of everyone of them every time she spoke of them, she was a true lover of all her family members. A beloved wife, sister, and friend, she was a true soldier and fought hard to the very end. Mother Eleanor Wooten will truly be missed.

Tributes

Ms. Eleanor Wooten

October 22, 1932 - November 17, 2021