She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-eight years Walter W Wood.
She is survived by:
Son Walter W Wood Jr. (Rebecca) of Woodstock GA
Son William T. Wood (Emily) of Birmingham AL
Grandson Walter W Wood III (Stephanie) of Birmingham AL
Granddaughter Elisabeth Wood Ball (Stephen) of Woodstock GA
Grandson Colin Read of Birmingham AL
Grandson Grahame Read (Melody) of Birmingham AL
Granddaughter Kennan Wood Salisbury (Ryan) of Seattle, WA
Nine Great-grandchildren.
Growing up the daughter of a naval officer she referred to her childhood as a wonderful education. She lived in China, the Philippines and Coronado and Annapolis in the U.S. When a Senior in High School, her father was transferred from sunny CA to Panama City Fla, in the middle of a drab winter. However in the Spring things took a turn for the better when the University of Ala. golf team came to town for a tournament. On the team was a good-looking golfer by the name of Walter Wood. They met at a social event at the golf course before the tournament. Walter would later say that he took one look at Barbara and said I'm going to marry that girl. After a one-year stint for Barbara at Stephens College, they were married and eventually settled in Birmingham. It wasn’t until after her two boys were born that Barbara found her way into a music career. A friend heard her sing and encouraged her to come to choir practice at the church. After hearing her voice the choir director offered to give her voice lessons if she would join the choir.
She would later study with legendary voice teachers Phyllis Pumphrey, Irene Jordan and Rachel Mathis. She became soloist at the church of the Advent where her family attended. She was also a frequent guest soloist at Temple Emanuel and later soloist at Briarwood Presbyterian.
During these years she also found her way to the Jewish Community Center Players where she was given the lead in her first stage endeavor, Kiss Me Kate. Her talent, beauty and stage presence would lead to starring in many more shows, including Riverwind, Camelot and Man of La Mancha. She starred in two productions of the King and I and was nominated for an Obelisk Award for her performance there.
She performed in Town and Gown Productions including Flower Drum Song and Kismet. She also starred in Opera Vignettes at the Little Theater.
Barbara said later that all this theatrical and musical work was preparing her for the Lord's plan for her voice.
She came to faith in Christ sometime in the late 1970's, through the influence of her 2 boys and Bible teacher Mary Glen Peeples.
She made the first of two Christian albums in 1980. Subsequently she was invited to sing at the annual Festival of Sacred Music, performing with the Alabama Symphony as well as luminaries from the Lawrence Welk Show.
Barbara was a dynamic person both musically and spiritually. After cutting her second album she was invited to share her testimony for Christ at Christian Women's Clubs throughout the Southeast.
Barbara enjoyed being a member of the Woodlawn Music Club and Hill ‘n Dale Garden Club. She served for many years as the Musical Director for Chapel Services at Shoal Creek.
Through the years, however, she found her true joy and satisfaction in her favorite calling of being wife and mother. She often said she had the best of both worlds: a loving family and the opportunity to use her God-given talent for His glory.
There will be a private graveside service and burial on Thursday May 21 at Elmwood Cemetery and Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts to be sent to:
Europe City Partners
156 Archie Way
Woodstock GA 30188
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