Elizabeth Redmond Wood

Elizabeth ("Betty" or "B") Woodard Redmond Wood, 93, passed away on March 18, 2015, at her home in Prattville, Alabama. The youngest of seven children, she was born in Rome, Georgia, to the late Paul Alonzo Redmond and Sallie Agnes ("Memi") Burkhalter Redmond on April 24, 1921. After her fourth grade year at Central Primary in Rome, the family moved to Mountain Brook, Alabama, where her father became the president of Alabama Mills, Inc., based in Birmingham. Mrs. Wood attended Ward Belmont School in Nashville, Tennessee. She continued her education at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, and graduated from the University of Alabama majoring in journalism, where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. Following her graduation, she worked for a time with Progressive Farmer Magazine and then became an executive assistant with the Birmingham architectural firm of Warren Knight & Davis. In 1939, she had her first formal date with John Barnard Wood, who would later become the love of her life. In the summer of 1941, Betty and John met again, quite accidentally, and embarked upon a romance that would have no end. World War II interrupted their marriage plans, and John left for Europe on April 30, 1942, not to return until April of 1945. Once John's discharge from the Army was confirmed, they got married on August 25, 1945. The happy couple began their married life in a garage apartment near Emory University, where he pursued his degree in chemistry, and she worked in the library. After graduation and the birth of two precious daughters, Betty and John lived for a brief period in West Point, Georgia, before returning to reside again in Atlanta, near Emory University. For just over 25 years, they enjoyed a wonderful life of frequent (and always lively!) gatherings of family and friends, Georgia Tech football, Friday night dates at Twelve Oaks, and annual trips to Daytona Beach. On February 22, 1971, John died unexpectedly of a massive heart attack. Betty continued to live in Atlanta for eighteen years until she relocated to Winston-Salem, NC, to be near her oldest daughter Catherine Lough, where she lived for twenty years; while in NC, she was an active member of Parkway Presbyterian; she also enjoyed her friends, regular card games, and her grandchildren. After her daughter, Catherine, experienced a disabling stroke in 2009, Betty moved to Prattville, AL, to live with her younger daughter, Christine, and son-in-law Max, where she resided peacefully until her death.
Betty was preceded in death by her parents; four sisters, Verdery R. Ware, Alwyn R. Barlow, Mildred R. Vaughan, and Sarah R. Wood; and two brothers, PA Redmond and infant Redmond. She leaves behind, to cherish her memory, two daughters, Catherine Barnard Wood Lough (John) , and Christine Elizabeth Wood Alexander (Max) ; four grandchildren, Catherine Virginia Alexander (Brandon Wright), Mary Tucker Walker Campbell (Don), John Max Alexander, and Elizabeth Wood Walker Seaton (Eric); two step-grandchildren, Mary Kay Lough Hall (Jeffrey) and Daniel Joseph Lough (Emily); three great grandchildren, Donald William Campbell, Evan Walker Campbell, and Diana Alexander Wright; three step-great grandchildren, Jacob David Hall, Hannah Grace Lough, and Addison Faith Lough; and numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews, and great nieces.
A.S.Turner & Sons, 2773 N. Decatur Road, Decatur, Georgia, is in charge of funeral arrangements. Visitation will be held at Turner Funeral home from 10:00AM until 11:45AM Saturday, March 21, 2015. Immediately following the visitation, a graveside service will be conducted by Dr. David J. Wood at Decatur Cemetery, 299 Bell St., in Decatur, Georgia, at 12:00 o'clock PM. After the service, family and friends are cordially invited to lunch at the Marriott Courtyard, 130 Clairemont Ave., Decatur, GA.
The children and their families wish to thank gracious care givers, Mary Zagar, Betty Hutton, and Belle Ellison; and the special staff of Baptist Hospice Services of Montgomery for their generous kindness and loving support.


Funeral Home:
A.S. Turner
2773 N. Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033