Sylvia Woods dies at 86

Sylvia Woods, 86 years, founder of the famous Harlem soul food restaurant that bears his name and is a must for residents, tourists, celebrities and politicians, died Thursday at his home in Mount Vernon, New York; his family has said. He had Alzheimer's disease.

Woods and her husband, Herbert, natives of South Carolina who met as children, Sylvia restaurant started in 1962.

Royal Harlem, the restaurant has politicians during the election campaign and for tourists and locals eager to corn bread, cabbage, ribs, fried chicken and other staples of southern cuisine.

The Reverend Al Sharpton, said Sylvia was "more of a restaurant was a meeting of black America."

He said we had dinner there with many celebrities, including President Obama and Caroline Kennedy.

Since its creation 50 years ago as a restaurant on Lenox Avenue near 127 Street, Sylvia has become a company that includes cookbooks, and a line of food products nationwide.

Woods, resigned to run the restaurant when he was 80 years, leaving in the hands of his sons and forests grandchildren.Herbert died in 2001.