Gertrude M. Wood January 4, 1920 - May 16, 2003 |
Rev. Dr. Jesse L. Wood (son)
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**Truly one-of-a-kind, this beloved woman was a precious vessel filled with grace and compassion. Gertrude Wood was born in the small-town valley of Mullens (Tralee), West Virginia in 1920, at a time when mining and lumber were the two most prominent industries. Her hometown was so small that the population was less than 2,000. She attended Wyoming County public schools. After graduating from Conley High School, she went on to become a graduate nurse of the United Mine Workers Hospital. A trailblazer, she became one of the first women of color to serve in her field. Never one to settle, Mrs. Wood did continuing studies with the Virginia Theological Seminary and College of Lynchburg, Virginia.
It’s no wonder she chose nursing as a profession. She absolutely loved people. She did not always need medicine to heal; her bright smile and gentle touch could turn any situation around. Both on and off the job, she was quick to extend a helping hand wherever a need surfaced. A woman of great faith, her gift was far above rubies (Proverbs 31). Known for her generous hospitality, she demonstrated her love for God through opening her home, her table and her excellent cooking skills to all. Her kindness made her an easy friend to all who needed it.
After relocating to Ohio with her husband and three children, Nurse Gertrude Wood continued blazing trails, as she accepted a position as an operating room nurse with the Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus in 1961. She remained there until she retired in 1984.
As the wife of a clergyman, First Lady Wood served faithfully alongside her husband, Rev. Andrew Wilson Wood, senior pastor of the Bethany Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio. The pair organized more than a dozen trips to the Holy Land, shepherding group tours there and throughout the Middle East. She was a skilled organizer, inspirational speaker, and capable leader in her own right.
Affectionately called “Mrs. A” by her husband and known to others as “Nana,” Gertrude Wood’s greatest joy was helping to gently mold and guide young people toward a productive future. A century after her birth, the legacy of this role model, mentor and friend lives on through the work that continues in her name.
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The GWCF is a grassroots organization co-founded in Dec. 2005 by Pastor A. Wilson Wood. The GWCF was originally chartered as the Bethany Community Development Corporation (BCDC) and received 501©3 Internal Revenue Service status in March 2007. The GWCF is an outgrowth of Bethany Baptist Church and has full autonomy as an independent social service agency and community development corporation.
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Diversity & Inclusion Statement:
The Gertrude Wood Community Foundation will not tolerate discrimination, biases, harassment, or bullying of any kind. Regardless of race, socio-economic status, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, or marital status, we are an organization that celebrates the richness of our community.