Mrs. Nancy Martin Wood

Nancy Martin Wood passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, October 30, 2012. She was the daughter of Joe and Lucille Martin, and was born in McComb, Mississippi, March 12, 1930. She graduated from McComb High School in 1948 and was a highly respected band member playing tympani and snare drums. She also was an accomplished pianist and was the first female student body president of McComb High, a tradition continued by her sister, Jocile, twelve years later. Nancy graduated from Mississippi State College for Women in 1952 and received a Danforth Scholarship as outstanding home economics major. Nancy married her high school sweetheart, Tommy Wood in 1952 and they began their family in 1953 and have four children. They lived in McComb; New Orleans, Alexandria, Shreveport and Metairie, LA, and settled in Tallahassee in 1967. Nancy grew up as a Southern Baptist and later joined Faith Presbyterian Church in Tallahassee, singing beautifully in the choir. She was a member of many civic clubs, including the Capital Medical Society Alliance, for which she served as President and board member. She was also a Girl Scout leader for her daughter’s troop, and active in the Violet Garden Circle in Tallahassee reflecting her life-long love of flowers and trees. Nancy was a skillful bridge player and played tennis and swam for many years. She was an outstanding hostess and cook, making the best pancakes and seafood gumbo in the area. Nancy loved spending time at their cottage on St. Teresa Beach, especially viewing the sunsets from the top deck. She and Tommy loved to travel and they collectively traveled to all 50 U.S. states and over 60 foreign countries, including the Arctic and Antarctic. Nancy was a gregarious and fun-loving woman of grace who befriended many wherever she went over the years. In addition to her many friends in Tallahassee, she kept in touch with her friends from high school and college years. She also had great friends made while attending the many events of Tommy’s participation with the College of American Pathologists. Nancy is survived by Thomas P. Wood, her loving husband of 60 years; her children and their spouses: Tom Wood, Jr. (Sally), Tallahassee; Joe Wood (Teresa) Jacksonville; Patricia Wood Merchant (Randy) and John Wood (Jeanie) both of Tallahassee; her grandchildren: Joshua Wood (Bonnie) Niceville; Jonathon (Becca), Slidell, LA; Andrew Wood (Lindy), Middleton, RI; Paul Wood (Jacksonville); Blair Wood (West Palm Beach); John Martin Wood (Tampa); Jennie and Laura Merchant (Tallahassee); Brittany and Jessie Snyder (Jacksonville); and her 8 great grandchildren. Nancy is also survived by her sister Jocile Martin Parsons (Chris), Seattle, WA, and her brother-in-law H. B. Wood, Jr. (Elaine), Rockport, TX. Nancy’s beauty and grace will be greatly missed but we are comforted that her spirit will be in heaven with those friends and relatives that have gone before her. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Nancy’s honor to Faith Presbyterian Church or the Tallahassee Music Guild. Visitation will be held at the home of John and Jeanie Wood at 545 Frank Shaw Rd. in Tallahassee on Thursday November 1, 2012 from 5 to 7 pm. A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, November 2, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. at Faith Presbyterian Church, 2200 North Meridian Road, Tallahassee, Florida, followed by a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

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Mrs. Nancy Martin Wood

March 12, 1930 - October 30, 2012