Ryan Russell Wood lived 38 short years and cut a wide path of joy, adventure, and purpose-filled living. Ryan departed this life unexpectedly on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at the North MS Medical Center. Born in Tupelo on March 8, 1986 to Peter Wood and Sherry Bridges Wood, he was a lifelong Lee Countian except for 12 years in Texas where he was a master Flowback Operator in the Oil Rig industry. Ryan worked many years installing tile flooring and became widely sought after for his skills in this area. Ryan had an amazing personality and never met a stranger. Outgoing, vivacious and determined, his great lifelong passion was music of all genres. He loved songwriting and producing songs and entertaining himself and others in the local music scene. There was simply nothing he didn’t like about music as it was his life passion. A big cut-up, he was a natural born entertainer and made countless friends from his gift of gab, his engaging smile and his genuine love and compassion for all. He never had children of his own but his friends’ children became like his own. He grew up in First Pentecostal Church but he and his Mom have been affiliated with Word of Life Church for many years. Ryan Wood will be missed by a grateful family and host of friends.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 6 PM Thursday, May 9, 2024 in the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Pastor Tommy Galloway officiating. Private burial will be in Tupelo Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 3 PM-service time on Thursday at Holland-Tupelo Chapel. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at www.hollandfuneraldirectors.com/live-streaming at 6 PM and will be archived thereafter.
Ryan is survived by his Mom whom he adored, Sherry Wood of Tupelo; his dad, Peter Wood of Tupelo; his only sister, Lacey Wood Smith and her husband, Brandon of Oakland, TN, and his niece, Ellie; his grandparents, Elizabeth Frances Tice of Tupelo, and J. W. Bridges and his wife Clytee of Booneville; a host of aunts, uncles and cousins and a wide circle of friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Pete “Big Daddy” Crum and Juaniece and Grady Wood.
Wassi Reed, Josh Orman, Curt Bradham, Jesse Clayton, Brian Sparks, Chase Coker, and Jamie Coker will serve as honorary pallbearers. Condolences may be emailed to hollandfuneraldirectors@comcast.net.
