Obituary of Mark A. Wooden Sr.

Mark Anthony Wooden, Sr., known by many as Big Mark, Pastor Wooden and the Wheelchair prophet was born November 11, 1959 in Saint Louis, Mo to Mable Lertine Wooden and Raymond Johnson. As a youth, Mark Sr. was educated in the Saint Louis Public School system and participated in the federal Job Corps program. At 15, Mark confessed Christ as his Lord and Savior. At 19, Mark Sr. was married and gained a son, Grayling, through this union and had Three children Shortly thereafter, Mark was ordained as a minister in 1981 in the Church of God in Christ. Mark went on to Pastor Bible Way Deliverance Center church for over a decade. Mark Sr. was employed at Schnucks warehouse for many years as a picker and also was the union shop steward. He was nominated and voted to represent on behalf of the rights of his co-workers Teamsters Local 688. Family, Cooking, preaching and people were things that Mark Sr. loved. When Mark Sr. could, he would have family over for the holidays. Mark Sr. would never turn down a chess match and was a boxing enthusiast; often bragging that as a youngster, he had the “coldest hands in the Cabanne courts!”. Mark Sr. was an advocate for helping people and was twice publicly recognized for being a good citizen. First, in the 80’s Mark testified in a murder trial, allowing a family to receive justice for their loved one. Secondly, in the 90’s, Mark Sr. saved his neighbor’s daughter’s life and received the St. Louisan Award for his act of heroism. Mark Sr. was preceded in death by his mother, brothers Quentin and Gregory, and children Grayling and Cherise. Mark Sr. departed this life on February 10, 2023. Mark is survived by: his sister, Cecelia “CeCe” Wooden, his sons, Mark Wooden, Jr. (Tasha) and Matthew Wooden, three grandchildren, four great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends that he loved.