Minnie Woodruff was born on June 7, 1929 in Burnt Corn, Alabama to Jessie and Cyrill Puryear.

She moved to Akron, Ohio with her mother, attended Bryant School and graduated from South High School in 1947.  Minnie was the first black to graduate from The Carnegie Institute in Cleveland, Ohio in 1955 to be a Medical Assistant.

Minnie was employed by Drs. Wilfred and Eleanor Bozeman for twenty plus years. She then retired from Akron City Hospital with twelve years of service.  She was a member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church for fifty years under the leadership of Reverend A.L. Dykes, Reverend Dr. I. T. Bradley and Reverend Dr. Luther C. Cooper.  During her membership, she served on the Senior Usher board, Nurses Guild and Kitchen Ministry.  Later she was united with Second Baptist Church under the leadership of Reverend Roderick Pounds.

Minnie met the love of her life, John Woodruff during her last year of high school and became his wife on December 16, 1951.  To this union, three children were born.  John Jr., Michelle, and Michael.  To the amazement of everyone, the children were born April 14, February 14, and March 14.

Minnies favorite hobbies were going to the race track, casinos, she was an avid fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James and was a member of the LeBron James Grandma Club. Minnie’s family loved her sweet potato pies, mac & cheese, strawberry delight and her German Chocolate cake.  She always made her daughter a heart shaped cake on her birthday. Minnie also enjoyed spending holidays with family playing pitty pat cards.

Minnie was preceded in death by her husband John W. Woodruff Sr., son Michael Ray Woodruff and parents Jessie and Cyrill Puryear.

She is survived by son, John Jr., of Akron, OH; daughter, Michelle Woodruff of Brunswick, OH; granddaughter, Lakisha Greenwade of Baltimore, MD; grandsons, Derrick M. Greenwade, Danny (Andrea ) Greenwade of Columbus, OH; Minister Raymond Woodruff, John A. Woodruff, Martin (Jowaun) Greenwade and Westley Dixon all of Akron, OH; ten great grandchildren and two great great grandclhildren; sister Norma Puryear of Akron, OH; sisters-in-law, Leola Witt Kansas City MO, Beatrice Smith of Tulsa, OK, Jereline Jackson of Houtson, TX, Darlene Davis of Bridgeport CT, Sara Linscomb of Galveston, TX; brother-in-law Jerry Spivey of Houston, TX; nephew Jerry (Lynn) Puryear of Akron, OH; devoted cousin, Deloris Davis of Akron, OH; godchildren, Rebecca Barnes of Akron, OH, Donald Ray Hubbard Jr., Dr. Nicole Hubbard-Clifton, Upper Marlboro MD; best friends, Ruth Reese, Mildred Barnes of Akron, OH, Dorothye Hubbard of Upper Marlboro, MD; aunt, Geneva Green of Akron, OH; cousins, Alberta Williams of Pensacola FL, Ernestine McBride of Daphne, AL, Mattie McMillion of Los Angeles, CA, Katie Jackson of Akron, OH and a host of other relatives and friends.