Dr. Manuel T. Woods' Obituary
Manuel Tee Woods came into this world at 8:32 a.m. on May 10, 1939. He was born to the late John Tee Woods and Mable Virginia Jenkins Woods of Kansas City, Kansas.
As a native of Kansas City, KS, Manuel was baptized in Big Eleven Lake by the late Rev. Clarence Jackson, Pastor of Bethel Church of God in Christ where his mother served on the Mothers Board and in the Mission Department. He attended Kealing Elementary (K-3), Stowe Elementary (4-6), Northeast Junior High (7-8) and Sumner High School (9-12). While at Sumner, Manuel played Basketball, went out for football but did not play and worked on the Journalism team. Manuel spent his free time working at the Post Office, working on cars, racing cars, and as a member of the Flamingo Social Club. Their attire was a blue suit, white shirt, and red tie. Every Friday you would see these young brothers dressed to impress. He graduated from Sumner High School with about 225 classmates.
Manuel loved cars and spent countless hours immersed in the world of engine and mechanics. He worked at a car wash and at a service station pumping gas and repairing cars, developing an intuitive ability to diagnose problems just by listening to a car’s engine.In his spare time, Manuel would visit junkyards, salvaging old parts and restoring cars. His love for speed led him to race cars on the long runways of an abandoned airport. Initially, police officers tried to run Manuel and other young racers away from the abandoned site, but recognizing their enthusiasm, thepolice association turned it into an area where the kids could legally race cars.
Manuel always wanted a car of his own and after much persuasion his mother finally bought him a car for $40 (1950 Mercury with prime coat – no paint). Just 3 daysafter getting it, the transmission failed, but Manuel was not deterred. He headed to the junkyard with Jimmy from the service station, the best auto mechanic in KC. Who loaned him the money to buy a replacement transmission and restore the Mercury to working condition.
The car’s Columbia rear end gave it an edge on the racetrack. Manuel pushed it into second gear and smoked his competition, hitting over 100 miles per hour. His dominance on the track was unmatched – until Albert Walker in a Chevy finally outran him but that did not end his love for racing. Over the years, Manuel purchased many cars from a Volkswagen Bug to his first 1993 used Cadillac and finally two prized corvettes, a 1981 and 2002 Convertible Corvette. He was truly a car connoisseur.
After high school, Manuel enlisted in the United States Army National Guard where he served as part of the 77th Infantry Division – Specialty in Bridge Building and Engineering. He was stationed in such places as Camp McCoy in Wisconsin and Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. When he was honorably discharged, he was ranked as the best sharpshooter in the 772 Infantry.
Manuel would often take trips to Arkansas with his mom to visit his grandparents Leon and Elvira Jenkins. He loved his dog Chip until his dad sold him. His experience with the desegregation of lunch counters, white and colored water fountains, and movie theatres provided excellent training and background for his student activism at the University of Minnesota. Manuel was a 32nd degree Mason in the Widowson Lodge of Kansas City, KS.
Manuel moved to Minneapolis, MN to raise a family and start his educational journey to higher learning. He started at the University of Minnesota through the Extensions Division where he was able to attend day classes as a Minnesota resident. In 1968, Manuel became a member of Xi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi at the University of Minnesota. He served on several committees and as Basileus.
On January 14, 1969, about seventy Black students with the Afro-American Action Committee (AAAC) occupied the University of Minnesota’s bursar's and records office in Morrill Hall to protest the hostile campus environment towards Black students and theabsence of an African American studies department. The protest became known as the “Morrill Hall takeover.” The demonstration, which lasted twenty-four hours, was the culmination of events sparked by the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) on April 4, 1968. The Morrill Hall Takeover led to the establishment of the university’s Afro-American Studies Department – an enduring legacy that continues to thrive 57 years later.
In 1970 Manuel graduated from the University of Minnesota (UM) with a bachelor’s degree in political science. A few months prior to his graduation, he accepted a job offer to work in the Admissions Office. While working full-time, he continued his educational pursuits and earned his master’s degree from the University of Hartford and his Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Administration and Policy from the University of Minnesota. In 1973, Manuel was selected for the Bush Summer Fellow program.
Manuel served on the board at St. David’s Center Child and Development in Minnetonka, Visitation Monastery of Minneapolis, and other organizations throughout the Twin City area.
For more than two decades at the University of Minnesota, he had the opportunity to work in various areas of student affairs, and he was able to observe the fruits of the Morrill Hall Takeover. These included the recruitment and retention of Black students, the establishment and growth of the Martin Luther King Scholarship Program and the establishment and growth of the Black Studies Program.
Manuel had the opportunity of serving as President of the University of Minnesota Association of Black Employees (UABE) and as President of Minnesota Counselor and Directors of Minority Programs (MCDMP). He received several awardsincluding the Minneapolis Urban League Cecil E. Newman Humanitarian Award, Communities of Color Health Leadership Award, and Bush Fellowship Award.
When he completed his M.Ed. at the University of Hartford, he vowed not to take another college course. After traveling back to Minnesota from Connecticut, and having spent one weekend relaxing, he found himself in the University of Minnesota’s graduate school office completing paperwork to begin work on his doctorate. He completed his doctorate and spent more than twenty years working at the University of Minnesota in a variety of administrative positions.
After retiring from the UM in 1994, Manuel worked as the Executive Vice President at Turning Point, Inc., a community-based health agency, which provided culturally specific chemical dependent treatment services to the community, for ten years. He was a member of several professional organizations including: the Minnesota Association of Resources for Recovery and Chemical Health, and the National Black Alcoholism and Addictions Council.
Manuel joined New Hope Baptist Church in December 1994 at watch night service. The same night that he announced his engagement to Wanda Emanuel. On August 5, 1995, Manuel married his friend and love Wanda Marie Emanuel. Together they travelled to over 40 states and several countries in Europe. To continue his fishing and outdoor life, Manuel joined the Twin City Reel and Trigger Club (TCRTC), where he served as President, Vice President, Housing and Warrant officer. He exercised his expertise by sewing the pig together for the club pig roast. He and his wife planned the Annual Feast for over ten years, with a down home dinner on Saturday and a country breakfast on Sunday. Their life together was a beautifully woven tapestry—God, Manuel, and Wanda—interlaced with love, faith, and unwavering devotion. For over 30 years, they embraced the journey, strengthening each other through every joy and challenge, their bond a reflection of deep commitment and grace.
Manuel was proud to have served as an adjunct faculty member at Capella University, in the School of Human Services, General Human Services Program and School of Public Service Leadership. He enjoyed participating in the online learning environment that allowed him the opportunity to help individuals achieve their educational goals at a pace to fit their lifestyles, learning and sharing educational experiences with multi-talented participants.
He thought of himself as an avid fisherperson, although he only went fishing a few times a year. He and wife Wanda enjoyed camping, fishing, campfires, enjoying the outdoor life of Gods great works, traveling and car events which allowed them to drive and / or show case their Corvettes. They traveled to over 40 states in the US and abroad – Rome, Italy, Paris, France, Barcelona, Spain, and Amsterdam to name a few.
Manuel and Wanda are active church members of New Hope Baptist Church. While wife Wanda sung in the church choir, Manuel became active in the Men’s Ministry and the New Hope Baptist Church Usher Board Ministry in 1996. As a door keeper in God’s house, he devoted a great deal of time in his role as an usher. He practiced, trained, served, and eventually became the Minnesota State Director of the School of Ushering. He was awarded the Usher of the Year Award in 2005 by his Godchild, Karissa Gibson at the National Convention.
Manuel and Wanda have been married for 29 yrs 8 months 15 days + 2 years of courting. He is affectionately called Dad, Dr. Woods, Brother Woods, Woods, MT, Uncle T, Uncle M, Grandpa, Pops, Megelle and Pookey by his wife. Manuel was a loving and caring husband, father, Godfather, brother, classmate, uncle, and friend.
Manuel is preceded in death by his parents, sisters:Johnnie (Kenneth) Fouse, Willa Mae (Bo) Dale, Mary (Warren) Hudson, nieces: Carmen Fouse and Kim Matthews, nephew: Michael Dale, Father and Mother-in-law John Clarence and Lillie Hall Emanuel, Sr. Brothers-in-law: Baby John, John Clarence Emanuel, Jr., Billy Norman, Sr, LeVoie Thomas Emanuel, Daniel Hamilton, Alvin Wiltz, Sisters-in-law Bernadine Emanuel, Lulla Mae Emanuel Wiltz and Martha Emanuel Norman.
Manuel will be greatly missed and forever remembered by his loving and devoted wife, Wanda Marie Emanuel-Woods; Sons Brian Woods and Daniel(Sarah)Woods ; Daughter Susan Woods(Wesley) Cureton; Grandchildren Maya Woods, Aidan Cureton and Hanna Cureton; Nephews Kenny (Lestine) Fouse, Kevin (Ramona) Fouse, Keith Fouse and Hewitt Bethel; Great Nephew Keenan Fouse; Neice Pamela Fouse; Loving sisters-in-law Delores Emanuel Hamilton, and Leatha Williams Emanuel; brothers-in-law Willie D. Emanuel and Henry O’Neal (Carlise) Emanuel, God children, and a host of classmates, and countless friends and family who were blessed to know him.
2AB53F68-55EE-415D-959C-55644B695731.jpgMy Lover, My Friend, My Confidante, My Supporter 149597C9-FE63-4228-9B13-2CB2A559CE7D.jpg
Manuel would often say to me how much he loved me; how much he appreciates me and what I do for him. Taking care of him and making him happy was my goal. Our best time of the day was at night, when he would hold me and I would hold him, and wewould fall fast asleep. I would pray over him, and he would pray over me. I might rub his head, and he would kiss my hand. Thanks be to God for the many blessings that he bestowed upon us. The words, I love you and thank you, were always in our hearts and coming from our lips.
I will miss you my love, but you will forever be in my heart.
Hugs and kisses always and forever.
Wife Wanda
Through the Midwest Transplant Network, Manuel was able to donate several organs. If you are an organ donor, thank you. If you are not an organ donor, please consider being one when you are renewing your license. Thank you.
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