Our Staff

Fred W. Valentine,  President and Co-Owner of Woods-Valentine Mortuary, is the nephew of the founder, Jimmy Woods. Fred was born in Glen Flora, Texas and moved to Pasadena, CA when he was 7 years old.  He grew up around the business and attended Pasadena Junior College, West Campus, where he earned an A.A. Degree in Business. He also graduated from the California College of Mortuary Science in 1942. Fred was a Licensed Embalmer and Funeral Director who has owned and operated the business, along with his wife, Arzella from 1954 until his passing  May 13, 2017.  He was a prominent business man and loyal family man who has lead left an awesome legacy.

Fred is also a Licensed Insurange Agent who has operated Woods-Valentine Insurance Agency since 1954. He is a long-time member of Friendship Baptist Church and has served his community in many capacities.  He is a Past President of the Los  Angeles County  Funeral Directors, and has served on the Board of the Pasadena  Chamber of Commerce, Pasadena NAACP, California State Funeral Directors and Morticians Association.  Fred is a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, whose hobby is gardening. 

Arzella J. Valentine, Vice-President and Co-Owner, is a Licensed Funeral Director and Life Insurance Agent.  She was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in Mount Olive, Arkansas.  She moved to Pasadena, California where she met and married Fred W. Valentine in 1949.  Together they purchased James Woods Mortuary from Fred's Aunt, Annie Mae Woods, and built the business we know today as Woods-Valentine Mortuary. Arzella earned an A.A. Degree from Pasadena City College and pursued her love for writing at U.C.L.A.  Although retired, she still consults with daughters, Janyce and Gail regularly about business matters and helps with payroll.  

She is an accomplished business woman who also is a published poet. She has written and self-published two books, "Growing Up In Mt. Olive" and "Return to Mt. Olive", both including beautiful poems and short stories about her upbringing in the rural south. She has served on numerous boards and as an active member of many organizations such as The Pasadena NAACP, The Pasadena Urban League, Jack and Jill of America, Pasadena Altadena Links, The Soroptimist club, and others.  She is a member of Friendship Baptist Church, where she served in many capacities throughout the years.  Arzella is a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, godmother, and friend to many.  

Janyce L. Valentine  is the Manager and Assistant Vice-President of Woods-Valentine Mortuary. She is a licensed Funeral Director and Life Insurance Agent. She is the daughter of Fred and Arzella Valentine and a graduate of Pasadena High School and The Fashion Institute of Los Angeles. She has a flair for fashion and decorating and coordinated the redecorating of the mortuary for it's 75th Anniversary Celebration.  Janyce is a loving auntie and godmother, who loves jogging, traveling, and going to the movies. She also enjoys her hobby working with miniatures.

Gail Valentine Taylor  is Assistant Manager and Assistant Vice-President of Woods-Valentine Mortuary. She is a Licensed Funeral Director, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Life Insurance Agent and Notary Public. She is the daughter of Fred and Arzella Valentine.  Gail graduated from Pasadena High School and earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Social Welfare, both from U.C. Berkeley. She is a board member of the Los Angeles County  Board of Funeral Directors and a member of the Pasadena Altadena Links, Inc. Gail is an active member of Friendship Pasadena Church where she is chair of the Deaconess Council and a member of the Women's Ministry Leadership Team. She is a past board member of the San Gabriel Valley Black Business Assn. and the Pasadena Foothill Y.W.C.A.  

Gail was recognized as a Business Woman Achiever in the October 2003 issue of the Business Life Magazine. Gail writes a monthly column in the Pasadena Journal newspaper, titled "Funeralwise," which she uses are a vehicle to help the community lessen the stress of the loss of loved ones.  She has been married to George Taylor for twenty-five years, has three lovely daughters and one grandson.  Gail loves reading and traveling.  

Vannie Brown  is an Assistant Vice-President at Woods-Valentine Mortuary. She is a licensed Life Insurance Agent, an experienced Funeral Service Counselor, and Cosmetologist. She is the sister of Arzella Valentine.  Vannie was born in Mount Olive, Arkansas and moved to  California upon graduation from high school.  She attended Pasadena City  College and Henrietta's Beauty School in Los  Angeles, and became a Licensed Beautician.  She worked part-time at Woods-Valentine Mortuary as a teenager and joined the staff full-time in 1970.  She retired May 31, 2010 after more than 50 years of service.  

Vannie is an active member of First A.M.E. Church of Pasadena, a long-time member of Women In Action, and a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.

James Barker  is a Licensed Embalmer, Assistant Funeral Director, Death Certificate Specialist and a Musician. He has worked for Woods-Valentine Mortuary for more than 25 years.  He was born in Detroit, Michigan and grew up in Los Angeles.  James has a Bachelor's degree in Science from California State University, Los Angeles.  He is a Christian who belongs to Gospel Memorial Church of God In Christ in Long Beach.  James is a devoted father, grandfather and son.  

Valerie grew up in Pasadena and graduated from John Muir High School, Pasadena City College and attended Cal State University at Long Beach. She retired early from a career as a Career Counselor from U.C. Irvine.  She lived 6 years in the DC area and GA., and worked part-time as Assistant Funeral Director at Woods-Valentine for five years.  

Valerie is the loving "Nana" to Mikayla and Avery Bowe, and the proud mother of Britney Bowe and Justin Isaac. She moved to Virginia to be close to her family but has such a love for the business that she helps out part-time when she returns home for a visit.  

Atty. Gemia Taylor Mercer is the daughter of George and Gail (Valentine) Taylor. She worked part-time as a Funeral Service Facilitator during her school years.  Gemia is a graduate of Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, CA.  She passed the California Bar Exam in February of 2013, and currently is a Deputy Community Prosecutor in California.  

Gianna Taylor Fay is the daughter of George and Gail (Valentine) Taylor. She worked part-time as a Funeral Service Facilitator during her school years. Gianna is a graduate of the University of Southern California in the fields of Sociology and  Psychology.  She received her Master's degree in Nursing at Cal State Fullerton with an emphasis in Clinical Nurse Leadership and Nurse-Midwifery.  She is a Certified Nurse Practitioner and a Certified Mid Wife.

Charles Johnson is a Asst. Funeral Director and Driver. He is married to Sheri Johnson and is a father of 2 children. He enjoys sports and coaches Little League. Charles attends First AME Church, Pasadena.

James Ross is an Assistant Funeral Director and Driver. He is the brother-in-law of Fred and Arzella Valentine. He is married to Rosalia and a Wonderful father, grand father and great grandfather. He is an active member of first AME church, Pasadena. James retired in 2008 but still answers calls when needed.

James Adkins was an Assistant Funeral Director and Driver for many years.  He was the brother of Fred W. Valentine, and worked in the business part-time since he was a child.  James was a dedicated father, grandfather, brother and member of Friendship Baptist Church Pasadena. He passed away August 29, 2016.

Rev. Jesse Chapman is a Pre-Need Counselor and  Life Insurance Agent with many years of experience. He is an assistant Funeral Director and our newest family counselor. He is Pastor Emeritus of Morning Star Baptist Church in Pasadena.