Anna Jean Wood, 98 of Greenville, entered heaven’s glory Monday, May 22, 2023 with her family at her side.
Jean was born August 23, 1924 in Cass City, the daughter of Harry and Margaret (Phillips) Mitchell. Growing up on the family farm in Cass City, she saw tremendous change. Electricity came during her grade school years. She enjoyed swimming in the Cass River, driving her grandfather’s Model T, and being a farm girl, milking cows, riding horses, and tending to the family pets.
Jean graduated from Cass City High School, then moved to Chicago to attend Moody Bible Institute. She earned her teaching certificate at Moody, and met her future husband, John R. Wood. On October 1, 1949, they were married in Cass City.
Jean was a talented seamstress, very creative at various hobbies, and was an exceptional cook. She loved preparing meals for friends and families. She was a Lions and Tigers fan and watched them whenever possible. She played softball into her sixties as a pitcher, and was always active and energetic.
She was an exceptional wife, mother, and grandmother. Jean volunteered for many church activities, working with children, working in the church nursery, teaching Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, and preparing and teaching bible stories every week. She was also an elementary school substitute teacher and crossing guard.
John preceded Jean in death on June 10, 2017. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Harry and Margaret Mitchell; brother, Hugh Mitchell; and sisters, Ellen Lambert and Donna Dorland.
Jean is survived by her son, Ron (Melody) Wood of Greenville; grandsons, Brad Wood of Sparta and Ben (Krista) Wood of Greenville; granddaughter, Jennifer (Stephen) Brackett of Denver, CO; and great-grandchildren, Bryce, Kaiya, Natalie, and Crosby.
Funeral services will be at noon Thursday, May 25, at the First Baptist Church in Cass City, with visitation from 11 a.m. to noon prior to the service. Rev. R. Mark Shaw will serve as officiant, and interment will follow in Novesta Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Calvary Baptist Church in Greenville or to a church of your choice. Hurst Funeral Home is serving the Wood family, and memories of Jean and messages of condolence for her family may be shared at www.hurstfh.com.
