Sam William Wood, age 85, died on Sunday, January 15, 2023, at the Pontotoc Nursing Home where he has resided the last 5 years. Sam was born on July 19, 1937 in High Note, Ala. to the late Novie T. Wood and Veva Ayers Wood. After high school, he enlisted in the U. S. Army serving in peace time. After his discharge in 1961, he joined the U. S. Army Reserves and served almost 20 years in the National Guard where he was chief of helicopter mechanics. Sam married Irene K. Maitland on Jan. 21, 1967 in Donaldsonville, Ga. Sam and Irene have 4 children. The family moved to Tupelo from Enterprise, Ala. and have lived here since. They were active and beloved members of Old Union Baptist Church where Sam was a strong prayer warrior and former Sunday school and Training Union teacher. A genial man with an enormous sense of humor, Sam was a great storyteller and practical jokester. He loved watching his children’s and grandchildren’s sporting events, all outdoors and fishing possessed a happy countenance. His family was a priority and he was once caught saying, “Happy wife-happy life”. Sam was a fiercely loyal University of Alabama football fan. Roll Tide!
A Service Celebrating Sam’s life will be held at 11 AM Wednesday, January 18, 2023 from the Sadie Holland Memorial Chapel of Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo with Bro. Josh Meadows officiating. Visitation will be tonight Tuesday, January 17, 2023 from 4 PM-6 PM and from 10AM-Service time on Wednesday. Private burial will follow at Lee Memorial Park. Holland Funeral Directors is honored to be serving their friends.
Sam is survived by his wife, Irene Wood; his son, David Wood of Palmetto; his daughters, Diana Hardin (Ben) of Eggville, Lisa Roberts (Mike) of Palmetto and Wendy Chisholm (David) of Pontotoc; grandchildren, Christin Kennedy(Jamie), Tiffany Tubb(Josh), James Roberts(Kacey), Lauren Webb(John Mark), Dylan Wood(Marianne), Jordan Nguyen(Logan), Haley Chisholm, Brandon Wood and Rylee Chisholm; great-grandchildren Madden, Lizzie, Connor, Haven, Nora, Olivia, Halle, Tristan, John Hardin and one on the way; his sister, Pauline Vinson of Forsythe, GA and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. He is preceded in death by his parents Novie T. Wood and Veva Ayers Wood, his siblings, Polly, Jim, Thelma, Willard, Raymond and Junior.
The family wishes to thank NMMC-Pontotoc Nursing Home who has faithfully and lovingly cared for him for the last five years.
