Josephine Finley Wood

Josephine Finley Wood, 84, wife of F.M. “Mickey” Wood, died Monday, Jan 31 2022 after a period of declining health.

 

Born to Carl M. and Hessie Willis Finley in Marion, NC, she moved with her parents and her older brothers, Jerry and Jessie, to a home on Cherry Street in Seneca. Here she became big sister to younger sisters Lou and Betty. As a young girl, Jo became known around the neighborhood for her fabulous ability to walk on her hands. She could walk all the way around the block and even climb stairs on her hands. Jo loved animals, especially dogs, and always had at least one beloved canine companion. In junior high school, she played the snare drum in the marching band, and she was on the girls’ basketball team when Seneca High won the district championship in 1954.

 

After high school, she went to work for the Oconee County Credit Bureau. One day a customer named Mickey Wood came into the office. He was spellbound by her beauty and made up reasons to come back day after day until he got up the nerve to ask her for a date. The two were married in 1962 and remained happily together 45 years. Jo was an enthusiastic, dedicated mother to her four children. She taught us to notice the wonders of nature by allowing us to keep pets of all sorts, including any of the various insects, spiders, reptiles, and rodents we could capture. She helped us build playhouses and imaginary worlds, made sure our summer vacations included fun trips to the beach, the mountains, theme parks, zoos and museums, and she never missed a single one of our music recitals, sporting events, or award ceremonies. She taught us about God and the power of love. We learned from her that through faith and fortitude we could do anything. In short, she was and is the perfect mother for each of us.

 

Jo belonged to the Seneca Presbyterian Church as she grew up and converted to Catholicism when she married. She was a member of the St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church Altar Society and taught Sunday school there. She was a cub scout leader and delivered meals-on-wheels. Jo very much enjoyed working in her rose garden and helping to manage the family strawberry farm. She was kind to everyone and an inspiration to all.

 

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by an infant brother, James Nelson Finley, her husband, F.M. Wood, brother Jesse Finley, and beloved grandson Benjamin Charles Wood.

 

Survivors include: daughter Mary Anna Owens (Bill Ray); sons Michael Wood (Donna), Charles Wood (Leila) and Henry Wood (Debbie); grandchildren Keri, Clara Beth, Logan, Andrew, Tyler, Brooks, Sadie, Emily, Flannery, Savannah and Abigail; and great-grandchildren Natalie and Beau.

 

In lieu of flowers please donate to a no-kill animal shelter of your choice; to the Monastery of Saint Clare, 37 McCauley Rd, Travelers Rest, SC 29690; or to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, 159 Sapsucker Woods Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850. A message of condolence may be written to the family by visiting www.sandiferfuneralhome.com.

 

The family will receive visitors from 9 to 10 am at Sandifer Funeral Home on Saturday, February 5th. A funeral mass will follow immediately at Saint Paul’s Catholic Church at 11 am.

 

SANDIFER FUNERAL HOME IS ASSISTING THE WOOD FAMILY