Jessie Wood
January 17, 1935 ~ September 8, 2020
Marietta Southern Cremations & Funerals
Jessie Pickens Wood was born January 17, 1935 in Rome, Georgia, to Lucious and Eddie B Pickens. She passed away on September 8, 2020 in Powder Springs Transitional Care and Rehab facility in Georgia.
Jessie and her twin sister Bessie were only nine days old, when their mother, Eddie B died, after giving her babies to her sister-in-law Lillie Belle and her husband Walter Gibbons, to raise as their own. That family moved from Rome, Georgia to Indianapolis, Indiana, in the 1940's. Jesse's twin died at age eight. Jessie grew to accept the Lord as a child, and was known for her gift of prayer. As a teen, she attended Crispus Attucks High School, which is where she met the love of her life, Thomas Randolph Wood (TR). They were married In 1952, on February 2nd. In this year 2020, they celebrated their 68th Wedding Anniversary. Jessie loved that her husband was her provider, protector, and defender.
Their family lived in Indianapolis, Indiana, Reelsville, Terre Haute, then Dallas, Georgia. Mrs. Jessie served as First Lady in the Missionary Baptist churches in Western Indiana where her husband pastored. She was active in Missionary Societies. Sunday School teaching, and choirs. She is the first black Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls clubs Leader in the Brightwood community of Indianapolis, Indiana. She was also a Lifetime member of the NAACP. In Western Indiana, Mrs. Jessie was employed at DePauw University, Mallory's, Putnam County Hospital, South Putnam School Corporation, and Clay County Physicians. Mrs. Jessie Wood possessed a kind-loving heart, and is known for her beautiful big smile. She had a great love for music, and was often singing, and playing spirituals on her organ. From deep in her heart flowed tremendous love for her family, birthday celebrations, holidays, school activitiess, and fami!y reunions.
Jessie is preceded in death by her parents Lucious and Eddie B Pickens, Lillie Bell and Walter Gibbons, sisters Bessie and Betty Joe Pickens Mack, and brother William Pickens, Sr. She is survived by sisters: Rena Mae Pickens Norris, Jettie, and Patricia. Brothers: Lucious, Jr., Carl, Dennis, and Kevin Pickens. Mrs. Jessie is survived by her devoted husband the Rev. Thomad R. Wood, Sr., and their six children: Sharon Wood Clark, Stephanie Wood Pearson Stigall (Charles), Brenda Wood Skates, Thomas R. Wood, Jr. (LaShuan), Walter J. Wood, Sr. (Robin), and Lisa Wood Echols. Grandcchildren are: Tamra (Jeffrey), Karen (Robert), Jennifer, Jessie, Thomas, Andre (Amanda), Brandon, Chad (Christen), Christen (Michael), Jonathan, Shariya, Gabrielle, Walter, Jr. , Jalal and Jessica. Great-grands are Kristopher (Krissy), Kameron, Kiearra, Camille, Jenna, Jeremiah, Ethan, Miles, Elijah, and Benjamin. Great-great grand is Karter. She cherished hundreds of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Our family thanks you all for your love and prayers.
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Mrs. Jessie Wood, 85 Jessie Pickens Wood was born January 17, 1935 in Rome, Georgia, to Lucious and Eddie B Pickens. She passed away on September 8, 2020 in Powder Springs Transitional Care and Rehab facility in Georgia. Jessie and twin sister Bessie were nine days old, when their mother, Eddie B died, giving them to her sister-in-law and husband: Lillie Bell and Walter Gibbons. They moved from Georgia to Indianapolis, Indiana, in the 1940’s. Jessie attended Crispus Attucks High School, where she met Thomas Randolph Wood (TR). They married February 2, 1952, and this year 2020, celebrated their 68th Wedding Anniversary. Their family lived in Indianapolis, Reelsville, Terre Haute, Indiana, then Dallas, Georgia. She is the first black Blue Birds and Camp Fire Girls club leader in the Brightwood community of Indianapolis. Jessie was First Lady in Western Indiana Missionary Baptist churches her husband pastored; and active in Missionary work, Sunday School teaching, and choirs. She was a Lifetime member of the NAACP. In Putnam County of Indiana, Jessie worked at DePauw University, Mallory’s, Putnam County Hospital, South Putnam School Corporation, and Clay County physicians. From deep in her heart, Jessie loved her family, and will be missed dearly. Preceded in death by her parents, sisters Bessie and Betty Joe Pickens Mack, and brother William Pickens, Sr., she is survived by sisters: Rena Mae Pickens Norris, Jettie, Patricia, and brothers: Lucious, Jr., Carl, Dennis, and Kevin Pickens. Jessie is survived by her husband the Rev. Thomas R. Wood, Sr., and six children: Sharon Wood Clark, Stephanie Wood Pearson Stigall (Charles), Brenda Wood Skates, Thomas R. Wood, Jr. (LaShuan), Walter J. Wood, Sr. (Robin), and Lisa Wood Echols. Fifteen grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, one great-great grandchild, hundreds of nieces, nephews, and cousins. Our family thanks you all for your love and prayers.