Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Ms. Josephine Helen Wood, Sunrise: October 3, 1915, Sunset: March 9, 2014, Home Going Service, Saturday, March 15, 2014, 2:00 p.m., Shady Grove Baptist Church, 712 Green River Road, Gaffney, South Carolina, Reverend Lee Byers, Pastor, Reverend Dr. J. W. Sanders, Jr., Eulogist

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Sunrise: October 3, 1915

Sunset: March 9, 2014

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Saturday, March 15, 2014 2:00p.m.
Shady Grove Baptist Church 712 Green River Road Gaffuey, South Carolina
Reverend Lee Byers, Pastor
Reverend Dr. J. W. Sanders, Jr., Eulogist

Processional

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Hymn......................................................................Shady Grove Baptist Church Gospel Choir

Scriptural Readings Old Testament...............................................................................Proverbs 31:10-31 Reverend L. C. Knucldes New Testament.........................................................................Thessalonians 4:13-18 Reverend Robert Dover

Prayer.....................................................................................................Reverend Albert Gray

Hymn............................................................................................Reverend Lee Byers, Jr.

Remarks....................(two minutes please).........................Senior Missionaries and Sunday School Ms. Diane Norris
Lad1es Progressive Club Mrs. Marion Powell
Shady Grove Baptist Church Deacon Arthur Dover The Wood Family Dr. Helena Tillar
Family Tribute..........................................................................Lt. Colonel E. Lincoln Bonner, ill

Solo.................................................................................................Mr. Terry Littlejohn "I Won ,t Complain,,
Resolution....................................................................................Shady Grove Baptist Church Mrs. Mary K. Jones

Acknowledgements.................................-................................................Rufus H. Foster, Jr.

Silent Reading ofthe Obituary

Foster Funeral Home

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"Precious Lord" Words of Comfort ........ ~ ......................................................... r. James W. Sanders, Jr., Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church Gaffney, South Carolina
Recessional

Committal, Benediction and Interment Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery
712 Green River Road Gaffney,. South Carolina

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"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a goodfight. I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown ofrighteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. " II Timothy 4:6-8
Ms. Josephine Helen Wood was the third daug~ter often children born to the late Sallie Dewberry Wood Curtis and the late Robert Wood in Cherokee County, South Carolina, on October 3, 1915.
She received her early education in Spartanburg County Schools. A student of great prowess, she graduated with the prestigious distinction of valedictorian. Determined to advance her education, she was the recipient of multiple scholarships to various higher education institutions. She attended Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia and after transferring to Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, she received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education. Prior to her graduation, Ms. Wood was awarded and accepted a position in New York City where she remained until1945. She returned to South Carolina and was awarded a position at Corinth Elementary School where she taught and remained for several years.
Being multifaceted highly motivated and extremely capable, she enrolled in a nursing class, receiving her LPN Certification in 1962. She secured a position at Cherokee County Memorial Hospttal where she worked for several years. Her first love, however, was teaching. She returned to teaching, working at Mt. Sinai Elementary School and, at the beginning of integration, was assigned to Alma Elementary School where she taught first grade until her reti ement in 1980.

During her career, Ms. Wood devoted herself to maintaining superior performance and modeling dedication in endeavors such as purchasing shoes and clothing for students in her classes; tutoring students after school; and working with adult education programs. She helped to change the landscape of education by assisting black churches in raising money to purchase a school bus to aid black students in getting to school. The concerted efforts of Ms. Wood and others resulted in raising the consciousness of the county's school officials compelling them to provide transportation for all children.
Ms. Wood gave her life to Christ at an early age and was a faithful member of Shady Grove Baptist Church. She was a mother of the church and many members sought her advice and wisdom. An avid lover of nature, she enjoyed being outside, growing and nurturing flowers, in the same way that she loved nurturing children.
Being active in all facets of her life, she served on the Red Cross Board. She was a member of the Cherokee County Education Association, the South Carolina Education Association, the National Educational Association, and the Retired Teachers' Association. Ms. Wood was also a member of the Che10kee County Literacy Association, whose goal is the eradication of illiteracy. She was the recipient of numerous honors, awards and commendations, including designee on the 2008 AT&T South Carolina African-American History Calendar. She is the foundation on which many of us still stand to this day.
Ms. Wood is survived by two daughters, Bobbie Wood (William "Bill") of the home and Thelma Foster (Ellington) of Gaffuey, South Carolina; a great-nephew, Rosario Wood of the home, and a niece, Freddie M. Camp (Samuel) of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, both of whom were reared in the home; three grandchildren, Dr. Helena Tillar of Bennettsville, South Carolina, Gilda Dockery (Paul) of Charlotte, North Carolina and Robert Littlejohn (Audrey) of Lawrenceville, Georgia; three great-grandchildren, Brandon White, Chelsea Littlejohn and Joey Dockery; a host of nieces and nephews; three special adopted sons, Willie Williams and Dr. Thomas Thompson both of Columbia, South Carolina, and Forest Morris (Shemenia) of Norfolk, Virginia; five special adopted daughters, Nellie Williams of Columbia, South Carolina, Arnie "Vicky" Brown of Ridgeland, South Carolina, Gloria Rosemond, Sarah Graham, Mary 0. Turner and Debrah Littlejohn, all of Gaffney, South Carolina; and a special granddaughter, Bessie McCluney of Gaffney, South Carolina. She is preceded in death by her nine siblings.

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I am home in Heaven dear ones, Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is pe1ject joy and beauty in this everlasting light.
All the pain and griefis over, Eve1y restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever, Safely home in Heaven at last
Did you wonder I so calmly Trod the valley ofthe shade? Oh! But Jesus ' love illumined Every dark andfearful glade.
And He came Himselfto meet me in that way so hard to tread; And with Jesus' arm to lean on, could I have one doubt or dread?
Then you must not grieve so sorely, for I love you dearly still; Try to look beyond earth}s shadows, pray to trust our Father's will.
There is work still waitingfor you, so you must not idly stand; Do it now, while life remaineth you shall rest in Jesus' land.
When that work is all completed, He will gently call you Home; Oh, the rapture ofthat meeting, Oh, the joy to see you come! Unknown


Ladies Progressive Club Senior Missionary of Shady Grove Baptist Church
Nieces Grand Nieces Mrs. Christine Ross Miss Jervonda Watkins
Deacons of Shady Grove Baptist Church Nephews
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The family, in grateful appreciation, wishes to acknowledge the words of comfort, telegrams, cards, flowers, and other expressions of love and concetn coming from the friends of Ms. Josephine Helen Wood from across the land. We acknowledge the oblation, "No business is so pressing, nor is any sadness so sorrowful, that one should not stop and say 'Thanks."' In due course, we hope to personally express our gratitude to each of you who came, who prayed, and who comforted us. This, we will do when our hearts are again lifted.
The Family
Arrangements Entrusted To
jfoster jfuneral ~ome
312 North Petty Street, Gaffney, South Carolina Phone: (864) 489-2422 - FAX: (864) 487-7474