Mary K Swain

  General Notes:

Mary S. Wood

1907-2007

BEREA - Mary Swain Wood, 99, devoted wife, friend and faithful believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, died at home on May 16 surrounded by close friends. She had looked forward enthusiastically to celebrating her 100th birthday.

Mary Wood was born on Oct. 16, 1907, in Eminence, Kentucky. The daughter of Henry Edward Swain and Dorothy Charlotta Fisher Swain, she grew up in Smithfield, Kentucky. She was married in 1958 to Colonel Alfred M. Wood when she was 50 and he was 61. It was a first marriage for both. A prominent Procter and Gamble executive and much decorated aviation hero of both World Wars I and II, Colonel Wood died in 1997 at the age of 101. He was the last surviving World War I Naval Aviator. They had been married 40 years.

Mary Wood was educated at Maryville College and the University of Kentucky. In recent years, she took great pride in being presented with honorary degrees from Maryville College, in Maryville, Kentucky, and Centre College, in Danville, Kentucky. She taught school from 1929 to 1937 before beginning her career as a reading specialist with The American Book Company. In 1944, she accepted a position with Scott, Foresman and Company, producers of the popular "Dick and Jane" readers, and moved to Dallas. For the next 14 happy years, she traveled throughout Texas introducing Dick and Jane to teachers and students.

A lifelong Presbyterian, Mary Wood was a member of Highland Park Presbyterian Church and beloved member of Circle I. She was a generous donor to many Presbyterian institutions, especially causes that benefited children and young parents. Her memberships have included the Daughters of the American Revolution, The Colonial Dames of America, The Huguenot Society of Manakin, Town of Virginia, New England Women (Texas Colony), associate member of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (Dallas Chapter), The Mary K. Craig Class of Dallas and the Dallas Country Club.

She was predeceased by brothers Enos Swain, John Swain and Henry Swain, Jr., and is survived by a sister, Dorothy Swain Patterson, of Bradenton, Florida. She also leaves nieces and nephews, William P. Swain, Louisville, Kentucky; Enos Stephens Swain, Washington, D.C.; Kitty Swain Beard, Frankfort, Kentucky; John Swain, Sacramento, California; Leslie Swain Santee, Pagosa Springs, Colorado; Mary Patterson Huffmaster, Astor, Florida; Stanley Swain Patterson, Suquay-Varina, North Carolina; and numerous devoted great- and great-great nieces and nephews. She kept up with all of them on a regular basis. She is also survived by dear friends Jean Yelton and May Bell Fobbs.

Mary Wood will be buried beside her adored husband Al at the Berea Cemetery, Berea, Kentucky, on Tuesday, May 22, at 11 a.m. with Dr. Larry Shinn, President of Berea College, officiating. Immediately following the service, Berea College will give a luncheon for friends and family at the Boone Tavern.

A memorial service will take place on Thursday, May 24, at 10 a.m. in Wynne Chapel at Highland Park Presbyterian Church, 3821 University Boulevard.

No children I believe

Mary married Col Alfred M Wood in 1958. (Col Alfred M Wood died in 1997.)