Arina Carol Woods

Arina Carol Woods was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 23, 1977, the second child of four born to the proud parents Alice M. and Ernest C. Woods, Sr.

Arina (Rina) as the family called her was a very practical child who grew up with lots of love from her family and did quite well through a lifetime of physical health challenges. From birth, Arina attended the Faith Temple Church of God in Christ and served faithfully for a long time. Later in life Arina became a covenant partner at Ambassadors Worship Center (AWC). She attended Conestoga and Edison Elementary, Beveridge Middle School, and graduated from Burke High School in 1996. Arina began her college studies at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) in Health Sciences and concluded them at Bellevue University in Behavioral Science with a heart and desire to become a Cardiac Doctor. Arina was gifted at so many things. She was bilingual in Spanish, American Sign Language, Latin, and more recently, French. Rina was intentional about being relatable and of service to those she interacted with. As a creative, Arina was known to be on many stages. If not for her gift in song as a true "strong Alto", in concert, swing and Gospel choirs; such as The Angel Singers, The Youth for Christ Choir, Heritage Choir and Joyful Noise I and II, she too would be found on the football field playing her clarinet in marching band. That does not conclude her instrumental skills, as she was well known for her great precision and execution of playing "Gods Instrument," The Tambourine. Arina would grace all with her ability to act in theater, making appearances in, Once On This Island, directed by Jerry Ditter; a Burke HS production, South Pacific; a Soul Fire production, It's So Nice To Be Civilized, and so many others.

Arina assisted with the editing and translation from English to Spanish of her mother's book, interpreted for customers while working at the hospital, and made sure any need was met with provided resources to assist. She was loved by so many and had a winning personality, no matter how she felt.

She is preceded in death by both sets of grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Holmes of Alabama, Mr. and Mrs. Willie Woods of Arkansas, God parents, Jean and James Cast of Nebraska; two half brothers, Joseph Joseph of Omaha, Billy Woods of Michigan; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She leaves to cherish her memories; daughter, Anira M.Woods and son, Aarin D. Woods of Omaha; her mother and father, Alice M. and Ernest C. Woods Sr., of Omaha, brother Ernest L. (Brittany) Woods of Tennessee; half -brothers, Walter Barnes of Omaha and Earnest C. Woods Jr. of California; Godmother, Chaplain Dorothy Ann Jones of Georgia; Adopted brothers, Kevin (Antaya) Beasley, and James Upshaw; Sisters; Alice K. Lewis, Kimberly D. Ward and Chiquita F. Stratford; Half- sisters, Mary Ann (Anthony) Wyatt of Omaha, Pat (Ed) Hartfield, Cheryl (Issac) English of Texas; Shirley Mcelwe and Margie Woods of Arkansas, YeAna Looney of Texas, and Latonya Carter of Omaha; Sister-in-laws, Lisa Joseph of Omaha and Victoria Woods of New York; Adopted sisters, Kandi Holmes, Bethany Upshaw and Yvonne (John) Smith of Omaha; Three uncles, Richard (Ella Lois) Holmes of Alabama, Walter Straughn of Alabama, and Reelice Holmes of California; Four aunts, Cleo Hare of Minnesota, Hattie Ball of Illinois, Johnnie Mae Ellington of Omaha, and Ella Ruth (David) Gant of Florida; Numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, her AWC church family, and a host of relatives and friends along with special friends, Michael Williams and her wonderful helper and caregiver, Latoya Saunsoci.