Mary Wood

Mary was born on November 25, 1930, in Gainesville, Florida, to Moseby and Emma McCormick. Her family later moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where they lived for several years before settling in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. There, Mary attended R.J. Reynolds High School, and she went on to Guilford College in Greensboro.

After college, Mary joined Delta Airlines as a stewardess. It was on her very first flight that she met the captain, William D. Wood Jr. The two married and made their home in Atlanta, Georgia. Three years later, with a two-year-old son and a six-month-old daughter in tow, they moved to Dallas, Texas - the city where they would raise their family and call home for the next 68 years.

Mary poured herself into her community. She served at Walnut Hill Methodist Church, teaching Sunday school and volunteering as a Boy Scout and Girl Scout leader. She was a constant presence at her children's schools and an active member of her garden club, where she and a group of women planted many of the crape myrtle trees that still bloom throughout Dallas today.

Once her children were grown, Mary and Bill started a manufacturing business, MW Periscope, which she ran successfully for many years, growing the company over its 45-year history.

Mary's passions ran deep. She adored her grandchildren and was always present to support their interests and activities. Her generosity extended to many causes close to her heart, including the Humane Society, St. Jude, Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in Dallas, the North Texas Food Bank, and the World Wildlife Fund, among others - her heart was every bit as big as her generosity. When time allowed, she loved to travel the world with cherished friends who shared her adventurous spirit. She also loved to read, and rarely went anywhere without a book in hand. Mary never met a stranger.

Mary is survived by her two children: son David Wood ill (Joan Wood), and daughter Susan Anderson (John Anderson). David's children are William Wood IV (Emeri Bradford Wood) and Lauren Wood. Susan's daughters are Sydney Tretina (Patrick Tretina) - with sons Tucker, Connor, and Michael Tretina-Zoie Anderson, and Noelle Foster (Deion Foster).

She is also survived by her cousin, Virginia Womble, and Virginia's son, Lee Womble (Seliece). Lee's daughters are Katie Smitham (Jack Smitham) - with children Shepherd and Maggie - and Emily Womble.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Moseby and Emma McCormick, and her former husband, William D. Wood Jr.

Mary passed away on August 23, 2026.

We find comfort in knowing she is now in heaven, surrounded by family and friends, in the presence of Jesus.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to any of the charities Mary held dear: the Humane Society, St. Jude, Scottish Rite Children's Hospital in Dallas, the North Texas Food Bank, or the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).