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Marjorie Susan Wood, 93, passed peacefully from this life and into the loving embrace of our Heavenly Father on the morning of 30 August 2020, in the presence of caring nurses at Colonial Estates Nursing Home in Shawnee, where she was a resident. Marjorie was born on 6 October 1926 in Oklahoma City, the third of four children to Mary Aleene (King) Hook and Elmer Ralph Hook. She was preceded in death by her brother Wendell Hook and sister Beulah Williams.
She is survived by her younger sister, Francel Rose Wood, of Oklahoma City; her son Stanley Lyman Wood, of Chicago, Illinois; her cousin Alma (King) Henderson, of Oklahoma City; and her dear friend Willard [W.R.] Qualls, of Shawnee, Oklahoma.
Marjorie had lived throughout her life at many locations in Texas, in Oklahoma, and in New York City. She was the wife of the late Rev. Lyman Paul Wood, and spent her life fulfilling the roles of devoted pastor’s wife and support of her husband’s ministries, loving mother, and a remarkably gifted musician – providing her talents at the piano and organ, directing choirs, and as a soprano soloist in all the churches her husband served and in many other religious organizations. She glorified God in her inspired keyboard improvisations that were a blessing to all who heard. Her talents drew the attention of the leadership of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and she was offered a position in their musical ministries. Ultimately she declined that opportunity, feeling that she should continue to invest her full-time efforts to her husband’s churches and her family.
She enjoyed all types of music – especially sacred, classical, and popular music of the “big band” era. She was always ready to lend a compassionate ear to anyone who was in any emotional or physical need. Countless members of her “extended spiritual family” will remember her radiant smile, her kind demeanor and wise counsel, and her unfailingly gracious manner to people of every background and social strata. The last years of her life were spent in failing physical health and increasing dementia, but even in those severe limitations her strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ sustained her, and she continued to be a warm and gently loving presence.
Final arrangements have been made with Corbett Funeral and Cremation of Oklahoma City. A memorial service will be held at her son’s parish, the Episcopal Church of the Atonement in Chicago, Illinois, pending lifting of pandemic-related restrictions, followed by inurnment there.
Memorial gifts are requested in lieu of flowers, to any of the following:
“Music” at the Episcopal Church of the Atonement, 5749 N. Kenmore Ave., Chicago, IL 60660, designated for the Music Program [atonementchicago.org]
or to the “Organ Fund” at St. Philip’s Catholic Church, 112 Capital Ave. N.E., Battle Creek, MI 49017, to the attention of Debra Wawzysko, Director of Parish Operations [stphilipbc.org; email dwawzysko@stphilipbc.org]
or to the Alzheimer’s Association [alz.org/donate].
Stanley Wood says
These words from the Holy Bible truly were inscribed in my mother’s heart, enacted and embodied throughout her full life with great beauty and devotion that touched so many lives in gentle blessing, and clasped in her hands at the close of her earthly journey:
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things….
“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” — 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, 12-13 [New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)]
What a tremendous gift from our Heavenly Father it was and always will be, to have had the rare privilege of being her son!
Stephen Wetmore says
I am so grateful that I had the chance to know this remarkable woman of faith. In every situation she faced she drew upon her faith in God and truly sought to live the Gospel values as she believed them to be. She could delight in the simplest of things, and be uplifted by the beauty of the created world, and the sounds of sacred music. When she wanted to know an answer to something she needed to know she was a master of asking questions. She was always interested in her son and his life, professions, and music ministry. Many a time I would get a phone call that would start, “Well hello, Stephen! And tell me how is my son, Stanley, really?” Those calls always made me smile as I could hear through them the love she had for her son. I am so thankful that Marjorie’s long suffering is now ended and that she can be at peace in the presence of the One who created her.
Julie says
You are at peace & loved. Make your music for the Angel’s. Love, Julie
Andrew Reeb says
What loving and heartfelt memories of your mom and mother-in-law. I would love to have met her.
alma henderson says
We always loved Marjorie’s sweet laugh and my, how we could carry on conversations about all the family. She was interested in all that was going on in our lives. We loved it when she got to play at the piano that her mother had practiced and played on for over 40 years. And their mother saw to it that the girls learned to play also. Marjorie knew the words to every hymn, and played so beautifully.
Francel and all of us loved Marjorie, and miss her so much. We send our love to Stan. May God bless you special at this time. Omar, Gordon, Alma Jean,
Francel, Keith, Curtis, Bond
Janeen Drew Holmes Gilliam says
Dearest Stan! What a joy it was to know your blessed mother! I was always in complete awe of her musical skills and wished to have possessed the same :). Wasn’t our mothers’ friendship a beautiful thing? As you so sweetly reminded me “I can honestly say there were few lady-friends that Mother ever treasured so much, and loved so deeply. I hope it makes you smile to know that…”, I can guarantee you that a big smile covered my face! I’m positive they are having a wonderful time together in heaven as they continue that beautiful friendship. I’m so honored to have known her! I am sending you all my love and prayers as you continue your journey of your mom’s passing.
Suzanne Nielsen says
We have such warm memories of the visits to our home by Reverend and Mrs. Wood. We enjoyed many meals together …. all telling stories about Stan to the delight of our children. What stands out the most in these memories are the prayer times we always shared before they left …. I especially remember to standing next to Mrs. Wood and being wrapped in her loving embrace as we prayed.
Peace-filled rest to you all.
Suzanne
Gloria L Evenson says
I only knew Marjorie Wood through her son Stan, but his faith and thoughtfulness of others are a definite reflection on her life. My prayers are with you Stan at this time, and all who mourn her passing.