Delphin Swanner Wood

On Monday, August 26th, 2013, Delphin Swanner Wood, 85, finished the good race and heard her Savior say, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant”. Dell was born in Blounts Creek, North Carolina and moved to Newport News, VA in 1946 where she met and married her husband, Harold, of almost 40 years. She was a graduate of Chocowinity High School in Chocowinity, NC.

In her younger years she held several jobs but her most valued and cherished job was being a loving wife and mother. She was a charter member of Langley Christian Church and the Harvesters Sunday School Class.

Dell loved working in her yard and did so until the age of 84. People would stop by and marvel at her beautiful flowers. In her later years she discovered she had the knack for painting and crafts and took great pride in her work. She made porcelain dolls that looked as though they could come to life and painted much sought after Santa Clauses. She was lovingly given the name “Mama Dell” by all the children that she babysat through the years. Dell’s children never came home to an empty house.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold E. Wood, Sr.; an infant son, George Clifton “Kippy” Wood; parents; 2 sisters, and a brother. Left behind to treasure her memories are her children Cynthia W. Mesic, Harold E. Wood, Jr. (Connie) and Cheryl W. Tanner (Bill). Also left to remember her are grandchildren Casey Mesic, Megan Mesic, Daniel Tanner, Zachary Tanner and Evan Tanner, and a very special great-granddaughter, Kendall Riley Magee. She is survived by sisters Vermell Jones and Geraldine Smith and a brother, Guy Swanner.

The family will receive family and friends Friday evening from 7-9 at Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home. A celebration of Dell’s life will be held at Langley Christian Church, 175 Fox Hill Road in Hampton on Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 11:00 AM with burial to follow in Hampton Veterans Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Langley Christian Church Building Fund.

Dell is “Happy, Happy, HAPPY!”

Friends are encouraged to visit www.parklawn-woodfh.com to share memories and words of condolence with the family.

Arrangements are under the care of Parklawn-Wood Funeral Home, 2551 N. Armistead Avenue, Hampton, VA 23666.