Kelly Russell Wood met his Creator in the early morning hours of Friday, Jan. 26, 2023. He was 54 years old. Kelly was born in Tupelo and lived here for most of his life. He graduated from Tupelo High School and was a standout athlete in football and track and field. He attended and completed the technical program in auto mechanics at Itawamba Community College. He spent 20+ years as a master mechanic and supervisor of shop operations for Averitt Express in Tupelo. Kelly loved the outdoors and was an avid deer hunter and passionately loved fishing every second he had to spare in any lake, pond, stream or river around. Most of all, he loved spending time with his grandson, Cooper Russell Jones, and teaching him all his hunting, fishing, gardening, and bee keeping secrets. He passed down a legacy of strength and resilience. Kelly was a member of West Main Church of Christ in Tupelo. He loved sports especially rooting for Mississippi teams – with a little partiality to the Ole Miss Rebels and supporting NASCAR.
A service celebrating his life will be held at 2 PM Monday, Jan. 29, 2024 in the Sadie M. Holland Memorial Chapel at Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo with special friend, Chuck Tharp, officiating. Private family burial will follow in Turnpike Cemetery west of Pontotoc. Visitation will be from Noon-service time on Monday only at the funeral home. For those unable to attend, the service may be viewed at 2 PM via hollandfuneraldirectors.com/Live-streaming. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to serve the family.
Kelly is survived by his parents, Russell and Dean Wood of Tupelo, and his wife, Donna Wood of Eggville; his son Andy Tyson of Pontotoc, and daughters Karli Wood Jones (Taylor) of Tupelo, and Jessica Jones (Brian) of Pontotoc; grandchildren, Cooper Russell Jones, Kennedy Craig, Benjamin Jones, Maddox Jones, and Aimry Tyson; siblings Kevin Wood (Shelli) of Eggville, Marcy Christian (Chuck) of Eggville, and adoptive sister Tonya Pannell (Kevin); and his nieces, nephews and their families.
He was preceded in death by dear friends Ken McCarty, Larry Fruge, and Tommy Carruth.
Pallbearers will be Brad Marcy, Taylor Jones, Andy Tyson, Kevin Wood, Chuck Christian, and Tommy Coggins. Honorary pallbearers will be his Averitt Express family.
Memorials in his honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Way, Memphis, TN 38105.
