Margaret "Zakia" Woods

UTICA - Margaret “Zakia” Woods, age 55, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, September 14, 2019 at MVHS at St. Luke’s Healthcare with her family by her side. Born in Newark, New Jersey on April 21, 1964, Margaret was the daughter of the late Rev. Robert and Margaret Woods. Raised and educated in New Jersey, she was a graduate of Westside High School. In the late 1980’s she relocated to Utica and made it her home. She then furthered her education by attending the Utica Beauty School where she received her certification in Cosmetology. Zakia was a loving, kind, understanding, patient, and generous woman. A social butterfly, she loved everyone and was favored with many friends because of her outgoing personality. She was an excellent cook, and an avid reader and writer. She loved music, especially the Jersey Sound. Margaret is survived by her son and pride and joy, James “YaYa” “Butter” Robert Yasin and his wife Tara Collins; her grandchildren, Yasin “Milk” Collins, Zhonaire “Father” Foushee; her brothers, Robert Woods Jr., and Ira Woods; and her sister, Aliza C. Moore. She also leaves her close family which includes James “Omar” and Onama Collins, Kevin “Naquil”, Amar, Nasyr, and Cheryl “Pookie” Collins; nieces and nephews, Beyah, and Zaesha “Lil Za” Hunter, Margie Clark, Christina Conner, and Melissa “B.B.” Cook; great-nieces, great-nephews; cousins, Cassandra Cook, Vivecca “Vicky” Clark, Selena, Travis, Chucky, Dora, and Anthony “Light” Johnson; her fiancé G. George “Elliot” Washington and his grandchildren, Kamiah, and Tyler Jones. She will be remembered by her extended family and friends including Ariel “Knowledge” Beltran, Alain “Bop” Surpris, Marcus Reed, whom she affectionately called "Big Sexy", Joseph “Joe Bone” Morales, Paul “Star” Morales, Mary “Sue” Morales, Paul Ward, Tynita Moore, Raintree Kinard, Anthony “Toasty” Lester, and Hefty; and a host of in-laws and caring friends including brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Kenny and Becky Washington, Ernest and Sharon Adams, and Betty and Clyde Jones. She was predeceased by her brother, Kadafi. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 3:00-4:00 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. Margaret’s Home Going and Celebration of Life will commence on Saturday afternoon at 4:00 at the funeral home immediately upon conclusion of visitation with Rev. Clark officiating the ceremony.

Margaret "Zakia" Woods

April 21, 1964 - September 14, 2019