Zane Wood Black, Vice-President of the Wood Family Reunion, was in charge of the program and decorations. As part of this year’s program, Eckle Smith Wood led the family in a rendition of “Grandma’s Lye Soap”.

Farris Kemp, who married into the Wood family 73 years ago to Vardaman Dock Wood, recited a poem entitled “Young at Heart”, which she wrote in 1998. We were then entertained as another of her poems, “Tribute to Family Reunions”, which was set to music in “Family Reunions”, by her granddaughter, Gena Tate.

Gena’s daughter, Breanna, played 2 piano solos-Prelude in C Major, BWV 846 by J.S. Bach and Amber Glow by Robert Vandall. Gena and Breanna played a medley of contemporary Christian songs - "You Are My All in All" and "Take My Life", arranged by Tom Gerou and Victor Labenske.

Gena played a medley of hymn arrangements - "Surely the Presence/Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome" by Lura Keiter and "All Creatures of Our God and King" by Dino Kartsonakis

Lucille Wood, President of the Wood Reunion, led the business meeting, where new officers were re-elected/ elected and discussions were held concerning the upkeep of the cemetery.

Bro. Ronald Jenkins, pastor of Smallwood Church, led us in closing prayer and blessing for the meal.

The Wood Family Reunion was organized in August of 1958 by Aaron L. (Fate) Algood for the descendants of Matthew J. Wood and Mary Wallace Davis. With the exception of a very few years, it has been held annually the second Saturday of June at the Smallwood Church in Winston County.

Each year, donations are taken for the cemetery fund, the purpose of which is the upkeep of the Wood Cemetery. It is adjacent to the church. In the late 1950's, the cemetery was in bad condition. A. L. (Fate) Algood, Wiley Keene, and others repaired tombs, washed and added concrete markers to all the graves.

We encourage all descendants of Matthew J. Wood and Mary Wallace Davis to make the annual pilgrimage to Winston County to celebrate our family roots.