Miriam Ruth Wood

Miriam “Ruth” Wood, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend and mentor to many joined her husband of 62 years and son Bruce in heaven February 28th 2018 after a short illness. Miriam was born in Chicago on December 28th 1930 to Swedish born Stuart Swan and Chicago born Signe Johnson. She grew up in Chicago and northern Minnesota with her two younger sisters, Shirlee and Marilyn.

She graduated from Bethel college at age 16 and went on to teach first grade. She met and married Californian David P. Wood June 3, 1954. They raised three children and served the Lord together all over the world for 62 years, in the Air Force, church ministries, bible studies, marriage enrichment seminars and pastorates.

Miriam’s pride and joy were her children and grandchildren, family and friends. She is survived by her son, Steven and wife Susan of New Jersey, and their children Daniel and wife Katie, James and wife Kaitlyn, and only granddaughter Sarah, and her daughter, Eileen Knight and husband Mark, and grandchildren Anthony Carmichael and Bre, and Chase Knight.

She leaves behind her loving sisters Shirlee Vennerstrom and Marilyn Hansen and their families, cousin Mike Peterson and other relatives who will miss their cousin and aunt Mimi. They vacationed at a family cabin on Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin for most of her life, and leaves behind many friends and happy memories there.

She is predeceased by her son Bruce in 1988 and her husband David in 2017.

She will be fondly missed by many lifelong friends, and her loving church family at Daybreak Baptist Church in Bakersfield, California.

Services will be held at Daybreak Baptist, 5446 Taft Highway, in Bakersfield, Friday March 9, at 5 pm with a meal to follow.