Ann Wood

Aberdeen- Barbara Ann Andrews Wood, 87, completed her earthly journey on October 14, 2023 during her favorite season of the year in Hot Springs, AR. She was born on February 25, 1936 to Jeff and Mary Lou Andrews in Trenton, TN. Ann grew up in Jackson, TN, graduated from Jackson High School and attended Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus, MS. While in college, she met Jimmy Wood on a weekend visit to Aberdeen, MS. They were married August 7, 1955.

She and Jimmy lived in and loved Aberdeen. Ann was instrumental in creating and building several organizations there. She founded the Blue Bluff River Festival, was a charter member of the Junior Auxiliary  League, originated the idea of the Presbyterian Tea Room during the annual pilgrimage tours, was an artist-in-residence teacher at Aberdeen High School, and was the moderator of St. Andrew Presbytery's Council of Presbyterian Women. She also organized Aberdeen's chapter of the Red Hat Society and served at the chapter's Queen Mother. All who knew Ann knew that her heart was the Halloween Tea that she hosted every year, her home decorated lavishly with witches, ghosts, and pumpkins. Costumes were required and men were prohibited. Ann was always enjoying life. She loved traveling to Europe with her friends as well as gardening, painting, and organizing something new.

Survivors include her daughter, Melinda Wood Hatcher (Robert Alvin Hatcher, Jr.) of Hot Springs, AR; grandchildren Marshall Andrews Hatcher (Emma Morehouse Hatcher) of Montclair, NJ; Katherine Almond Hatcher of Brooklyn, NY; Robert Wood Hatcher (Adalenne Cole Hatcher) of Hernando MS; great-grandson, Robert Alvin Hatcher, III, great grand-daughter, Amelia Shaw Hatcher, sister-in-law, Sally Andrews Walker (Thad Walker) of Edgewater, MD; niece, Melody Dryden Beatty of Georgetown, TX; niece Valerie Jo Andrews Gerheiser (Fred Gerheiser) of Crofton, MD; and nephew, Barry Dawson Andrews (Tammy German Andrews) of Westminster, MD.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Jimmy, brother Harry Jo Andrews and a son, Marshall Jeffry Wood.

Special appreciation from Ann's family is extended to Trina Smith's Personal Care for whom we are forever grateful and Dierkson's Hospice Care in Hot Springs.

Funeral services  will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 2:00 pm at First Presbyterian Church in Aberdeen with Rev. Robert Hatcher officiating. Burial will be in Oddfellows Rest Cemetery.

Visitation will be at the church prior to the funeral from 1:00-2:00 pm.

Because Ann was a devoted woman of faith and a active member of her church, those who wish to do so may designate contributions to First Presbyterian Church of Aberdeen, MS or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in her memory.