"Sylvia Woods was the matriarch of our community," the Rev. Al Sharpton said, remembering her for greeting her customers at the door. "The only thing sweeter than her iced tea was Sylvia herself."
The Rev. Al Sharpton and members of Sylvia Woods' family remember Woods, the Queen of Soul Food, during a news conference today at her famed Harlem eatery.
Three generations of Sylvia Woods’ family remembered the Queen of Soul Food a day after her death and vowed to keep her legacy alive.
Woods, whose soul food restaurant Sylvia's became one of Harlem's most famous destinations, died on Thursday, and her family's commitment to the business was stronger than ever.
More than a dozen family members stood together inside Sylvia's Also, a lounge next to the restaurant, promising to continue the business that next month will celebrate 50 years.
"We look forward to continuing her legacy, which she has left to this family," said Kenneth Woods, the youngest son of the restaurateur and the CEO of the Sylvia's brand. "We have been well prepared to take on the task."
Van Woods, her oldest son, remembered his mother for following her dreams.
"I share her talent for dreaming big and turning dreams into reality," he said, sharing plans to take the family business to the next level. "In the months to come, my family will be unveiling our real estate and restaurant development plans, all of which are possible because of my mother's leadership and tenacity... We're going to build something very special for mom."
Tren'ness Woods-Black, the granddaughter of the soul food icon, said the family matriarch did not let her long battle with Alzheimer’s beat her.
"My grandmother battled Alzheimer's, but it did not get the best of her," she said. "It never robbed her. Every moment when we went to visit with her she was able to say, 'I love you.'"
Woods-Black announced the public viewing for her grandmother will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at Abyssinian Baptist Church, with a funeral at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Grace Baptist Church in Mount Vernon.
"We have a service that is truly fit for a queen," she said.
The Rev. Al Sharpton, who joined the family for Friday's press conference, will deliver the eulogy at the funeral.
"Sylvia Woods was the matriarch of our community," Sharpton said, remembering her for greeting her customers at the door. "The only thing sweeter than her iced tea was Sylvia herself."
Fans of Sylvia Woods leave notes to her at her famous Harlem restaurant the day after she passed away.
He also recalled having dinner at the Lenox Ave. restaurant with President Obama, who was a senator at the time.
"She was there putting napkins in our laps, and taking care of us like a child," said Sharpton, who remembered his first trip to Sylvia's with James Brown when the restaurant was only a counter.
"I've watched this business grow," he said. "She built something that made us all proud...Her legacy will always be continued."
He added Sylvia's "as a restaurant will continue, but Sylvia Woods can never be replaced."
Down the block from the restaurant, the Apollo Theater remembered the successful businesswoman with a message on their marquee, which read: "In Memory of Sylvia Woods 1926-2012."
Melba Wilson is the owner of Melba's restaurant, another popular soul food restaurant in Harlem, and she said Sylvia Woods was not only her mentor, but also her aunt.
"For me, it's a double-loss," she said. "I actually was inspired by my aunt to cook, which is why I opened up Melba's...a little bit of Aunt Sylvia will live in all of us."
Woods leaves behind four children, 18 grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren, including one who was just born less than a month ago.
The family has requested donations be made payable to The Sylvia and Herbert Woods Scholarship Fund c/o Sylvia's Restaurant, 328 Lenox Ave., New York, NY 10027.
Read more:
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/harlem...
Posted By: DAVID JOHNSON
Saturday, July 21st 2012 at 11:35AM
You can also
click
here to view all posts by this author...
