Paul Wood, 82, died Sunday, October 2, 2016, at the North MS Medical Center. He was born September 13, 1934, in Dorsey to T. W. “Trick” and Nova Lee Tindol Wood. He attended Dorsey Elementary School and graduated from Belden High School in 1953. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy serving in the “Black Dog” blimp squadron which scouted the southeastern coastline and Bermuda Triangle for Russian subs. After serving his country, he returned to the Tupelo area. He attended Itawamba Junior College and the University of Southern Mississippi and then went to work at Penn Tire Co. He attended night classes at Mississippi State where he received his B.S. degree in business and later did graduate work at Ole Miss. He retired from the state in 1997 with 38 years of service. Thirty-four of those years were with the Department of Human Services. For many years Paul coached girls’ little league softball as well as church co-ed teams. He is a member of the American Legion, the DAV and the Korean Conflict Veterans, the Lee County Timber Club and past board member of the Red Cross. He has served on the board of the Northeast Regional Water Supply for the past 12 years. He attended Center Hill Baptist Church. Until his health failed, he enjoyed raising fish, cattle and timber. He also enjoyed cutting firewood, having cut hundreds of cords during his lifetime. The true joys of his life were his four grandchildren and great-grandson. He never met a stranger, always had something to say and given time he would usually establish some kinship. Paul was very outspoken, leaving no doubt as to where he stood on certain issues. Services will be 10 AM Wednesday, October 5, 2016, at Lee Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. Visitation will be from 5 – 8 Tuesday night. Officiating will be Bro. Jerry Estes and Bro. Levi Garrison. Lee Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements. Survivors include his wife Martha Wood of Plantersville; his son Phil Wood and wife Kimberly of Southaven; his daughter Amy Cochran and her husband Phil of Auburn; his grandchildren, Cole Cochran of Enid, Bentley Cochran of Auburn, Archer and Jessi Wood of Southaven; his great-grandson Keaton Pounds of Auburn; three sisters, Arvie Roper and Helen Gardner of Tupelo and Rita Vinson of Clinton; one brother Andy Wood of Brewer; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends and neighbors. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister Vama Wade; two brothers Marvin Wood and Royce Wood; two nephews Gary Vinson and Ricky Wynn; two sisters-in-law Ruth Wood and Mavis Wood; three brothers-in-law Billy Roper, Boyd Gardner and Charles Vinson.
Pallbearers will be Frank Wood, Terry Wood, Ewing Wood, Bill Roper, Tony Roper, Jeff Wade and David Gardner. Honorary Pallbearers will be Frank Wade and Joe Clayton.
