Obituary of Joan Wood

EC Wood Joan Downing Wood Mrs. Joan Downing Wood, age 68, died Friday, August 19, 2005 from a brain tumor, at her home in Elizabeth City, NC. Mrs. Wood, the daughter of the late Charles and Camilla Wilson Downing was born in Adrian, MI and raised in Britton, MI. She was the wife of Colonel James B. Wood, US Army, Retired, who is also a native of Britton. She was a graduate of Britton-Macon High School and Eastern Michigan University. Mrs. Wood taught school in Milan High School and Waialua, Hawaii. Mrs. Wood accompanied her husband on military assignments in Kentucky, Hawaii, Missouri, North Carolina, Kansas, Virginia and the Washington, DC area. Also, she made a home for her family in Deerfield, MI and Winter Park, FL while her husband served tours in Vietnam. Mrs. Wood was an avid volunteer. In 1987 she was the US Army Troop Support Command’s Volunteer of the Year for her exceptional contribution to the St. Louis military and civilian community. Additionally, during various assignments, she spent hundreds of hours as a mentor and confidant to the wives of the soldiers assigned to her husband’s units. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Gaynell, Gwendolyn, and Doris; and two brothers, Clayton and Lewis. In addition to her husband she is survived by two daughters, Renee Wice, and husband Mark, of Elizabeth City, NC, and Kimberly Henault, and husband John, of Alexandria, VA; one son, Gregory Wood, and wife Helen, of Collinsville, IL; one sister, Betty Uhl of Bradenton, FL; one brother, Leslie Downing of Britton, MI; and four grandchildren, Kelly Wice, Jared Wice, Sean Wice, and Kelin Henault. A graveside funeral service will be held Tuesday, August 30, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA, with the Reverend Richard Bruce of Britton, MI, officiating. Honorary pallbearers will be Duane Robinson of Manchester, MI, Jack Patterson of Adrian, MI, Cal Rohrback of St. Johns, MI, Ron Mastie of Saline, MI, Mark Wice of Elizabeth City, NC, and John Henault of Alexandria, VA. The family suggests memorial contributions be directed to the Joan Downing Wood Memorial Scholarship, Britton-Macon High School, 201 College Ave., Britton, MI 49229, or to The American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road Suite 146, Des Plaines, IL 60018-4110. Twiford’s Memorial Chapel, Elizabeth City, NC, is in charge of funeral arrangements. To sign the online register visit www.twifordfh.com.