Teresa Wood Class

Teresa Wood Class passed away peacefully surrounded by her mom and sisters and in the arms of her Savior Jesus Christ. She was the cherished daughter of Caroll Kincaid Wood and the late William Edward “Ed” Wood, who preceded her in death just weeks earlier on September 16. She is survived by her mother; sisters Deanna (Jonathan) Gajdik of Cumming, Georgia, and Kathie (Buddy) Sell of Wichita, Kansas; six nieces and nephews—Brett Sell, M.D.; Samantha Lunsford (Craig); Bryce Sell (Kennedy); Brock Sell; Taylor Gajdik; and Brady Sell; and great-niece Hazel Sell and great-nephew Luca Sell. She was also preceded in death by her beloved great-nephew Everett William Dean Sell.

Born and raised in Burlington, North Carolina, Teresa graduated from Elon University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Faith was the foundation of Teresa’s life. She loved Jesus deeply and sought to reflect His light in all she did. Her faith shaped her words, her work, and the way she loved others—with kindness, gratitude, and joy. Those who knew her best will remember not only her laughter and wit, but also her unwavering trust in God’s plan and her belief that each day was a gift to be celebrated, shared, and used for good.

Known affectionately as “T,” she lived with an open heart, a quick smile, and an unshakable belief in the good that could be found in every person and every day. She approached the world with joy and optimism, always finding ways to make others’ lives brighter. Whether through laughter, a heartfelt conversation, or an encouraging word, Teresa lifted people up and reminded them of their own strength and worth.

Teresa loved life and loved to have fun. She never missed an opportunity to dance—at a wedding, a concert, or simply in her kitchen with friends. She had quite an appetite, loved a great burger, and mastered the art of bringing a rotisserie chicken to any potluck!

Her laughter was contagious, her humor effortless, and her presence magnetic. She had a gift for turning ordinary moments into cherished memories.

A devoted professional, Teresa found her calling in banking, where she worked throughout her career for several respected financial institutions, most recently at Pinnacle Financial Partners. She also shared her passion for personal and professional growth through her work with Dale Carnegie Training as a Performance Consultant. Across every role, Teresa loved helping business owners reach their goals and connecting people with opportunities to help their dreams grow. Her colleagues and clients admired her for her creativity, insight, and genuine care. For Teresa, success wasn’t just about numbers—it was about people, relationships, and the joy of seeing others thrive.

Teresa also found purpose in her involvement with the Rotary Club of Greensboro, where she put her exceptional relationship-building skills to work in service to others. She was proud to live out Rotary’s motto of Service Above Self and to be part of a community that shared her belief in lifting others up and making a difference.

Her compassion extended well beyond her work. Teresa was known for asking deep, thoughtful questions that showed how much she cared and how closely she listened. She had an uncanny ability to sense when someone was struggling and an instinct to help—offering guidance, laughter, or simply a safe space to talk things through.

At home, Teresa was a proud and loving dog mom to her loyal companion, Sully, who brought her endless joy. She adored her family and treasured her friends, building a circle of love that spanned far and wide.

Teresa was strong-minded and passionate, with opinions as bold as her laugh—and both were a joy to witness. She loved music, dancing, and making others laugh until they couldn’t catch their breath.

With love and gratitude, Teresa’s mother, Caroll, and her sisters, Deanna and Kathie, extend heartfelt thanks to the oncology care teams at Cone Health and UNC Medical Center, and to the hospice staff at Beacon Place at AuthoraCare, for their exceptional compassion and care of Teresa. They are deeply thankful to Val Edson for welcoming Sully into her home and giving him the joyful life Teresa so wanted for him, and to Pam Cash for the gentle care and steadfast support she offered in recent weeks—especially in comforting Caroll and the family as they tenderly cared for Teresa in her final days. The family is also profoundly grateful to the many dear friends and loved ones—too many to name—who have surrounded them with abundant love, faith, and strength throughout Teresa’s five-and-a-half-year journey. Words cannot express their immense gratitude.

Teresa’s light will continue to shine through the lives she touched and the love she shared. Her legacy is one of joy, connection, love, and faith—a beautiful reminder to embrace life fully, love deeply, lift others up, and never stop dancing.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to She ROCKS (Research Ovarian Cancer Knowledge Support), honoring Teresa’s courageous journey with ovarian cancer, or to Carolina Adoption Services in Greensboro, where she joyfully connected her business community to support children and families in need.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, on what would have been T’s 58th birthday. To receive details when they are finalized, please email [email protected] and visit our website at haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com for online condolences.