Mary Ann "Big Mama" Wood

Obituary For Mary Ann "Big Mama" Wood

A service of celebration will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Harris Funeral Home Chapel with interment in Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery, 1145 Chambers County Road 004, Waverly, AL 36879.

Mary Ann “Big Mama” Wood, age 100, after a long and fruitful life, completed her earthly journey and entered peacefully into the presence of the Lord. After a century of faith, love, and steadfast devotion, she fell asleep in Jesus and awoke in glory, peacefully in her sleep at her daughter’s home in Houston, Texas. She was born on February 3, 1925, in Waverly, Alabama, to the late John and Susie Ponds.

She was united in holy matrimony to the late Ocie Lee Wood, Sr., and together they built a strong and loving family. God blessed her with five children: Wilbur Wood, Elsie Faye Howard, and Mary Jean Dennison, who have preceded her in death; and Ocie Lee Wood, Jr., and Mary Lean Felton, who cherish her memory. She was also a proud grandmother of 14 grandchildren, as well as a matriarch to a large and ever-growing number of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, and great-great-great-grandchildren.

Mother Wood was a faithful servant of the Lord throughout her century of life. She was a longtime member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, where she served diligently as Secretary and Usher for many years. Later in life, she joined Peace and Goodwill, where she continued her devoted service as Missionary President and Usher Board President until her health no longer allowed. Her dedication to ministry, her church, and her community was unwavering.

She was well known for her love of baking, cooking, and blessing others with the warmth of her hospitality. Whether in the church or the neighborhood, she joyfully shared her gifts and opened her heart to everyone she met.

During her final years, she was lovingly supported not only by her daughter, but also by her devoted caregivers, Kathy Darkins and Angie Marvel, whose compassion and dedication brought comfort and dignity to her final season of life.

Though we all will dearly miss her gentle spirit, her wisdom, and her loving presence, we celebrate the fullness of her life and the joy of her heavenly home. Her legacy of prayer, kindness, and unwavering faith will continue to shine through all who loved her.

We rejoice in the promise of Scripture: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). We take comfort knowing she has run her race, kept the faith, and now receives the crown of life promised to those who love Him.

We thank God for the gift of her life and rest in the blessed assurance that we will see her again.

Please wear shades of blue, preferably Royal Blue