Jennie Louise Wood, 84, of Fort Scott, went to be with her Lord Wednesday evening, January 13, 2021 at Landmark Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. She was born January 26, 1936, in Columbus, Ohio, the daughter of Eldora (Reynolds) Beaver. Eldora married Ralph Beaver when Jennie was 15, and thereafter she considered him her father. She married Kenneth Ross Wood August 15, 1958, in Los Angeles, California.
Jennie was a partner in pastoral ministry to her husband, Kenneth, for 43 years. Using her gifts of music, hospitality, teaching, and encouragement, she served faithfully alongside her husband at churches in Deepwater, MO, Carl Junction, MO, Brainerd, MN, and Rochester, MN. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, with the ability to make each one feel special and loved. She was a piano teacher for many years and loved her students and their families. She was a substitute school teacher and played her violin in community orchestras. She was a member of the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene.
Jennie is survived by her husband, Ken, of 62 years. She is also survived by her children, Suella Hornby and husband Charles of Springfield, Missouri, Stan Wood and wife Denise of Leavenworth, Kansas, Melody Richardson and husband Lonnie of Louisburg, Kansas, and Joy Parke and husband Phil of Raymore, Missouri; eleven grandchildren, Briana, Nathan, Reagan, Jaron, Graham, Carter, Ross, Alexandra, Annelise, Davis, and Sawyer, and one great-grandchild Noah, and a baby girl due in May.
She was preceded in death by her parents Ralph and Eldora Beaver, and four stepbrothers, Ralph Jr., Melvin, Harold, and Larry.
Services will be held Saturday, January 23, 2021, 10:00 am, at the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene with burial following at Maple Grove Cemetery under the direction of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home.
The service will also be live-streamed via the church’s Facebook page. Memorial contributions may be made to the Fort Scott Church of the Nazarene and may be left in the care of the Konantz-Cheney Funeral Home, 15 W. Wall Street, P.O. Box 309, Fort Scott, Kansas, 66701. Condolences may be submitted to the online guestbook at konantz-cheney.com.
Oh I am so sorry to hear this, but comforted knowing her Christian faith she is in a better place now.
My condolences to the Wood family. Jenny was beloved by all who knew her. She was a wonderful positive influence in my life during my teen years. I enjoyed playing piano as she beautifully shared her gift of playing the violin. I know she will be greatly missed by her family and friends she made throughout the years.
Jenny was one of the greatest persons we have the honor to know. She welcomed us into the neighborhood back in 2014. It was always fun to bump into Jenny and Ken. They could always bring a smile to your face. We loved listening to Jenny play the violin and going to her and her students piano concerts. We will miss her but we know that she is an awesome angel now and will always watch over us. Skipper and Faye
I am so sorry about Jennie Wood’s family’s loss and ours. Jennie and my Mother, Martha Miller, were childhood friends from their days at the Friend Rescue Home and shared living spaces on the West Side of Columbus, OH. They stayed in touch as best they could and I had the pleasure of visiting Ken and Jennie in Rochester, MN, in early December 1995. I am so unhappy with myself that in October 2019 – before the pandemic – when I was in Kansas City for several days I did not think of – until it was too late – renting a car and driving down to Fort Scott. As it turns out, it would have been my last chance to see Jennie Wood. Jennie Wood always got along well also with my Grandmother – then Helen Hildreth, now deceased – while my Mom also got along with Eldora, Jennie Wood’s Mother. Grandma (Beck, when she passed away) were similar in some respects: outgoing, positive, sunny. I recall that Jennie Wood got me to play a violin again – while she played piano- during my time in Rochester. She and I enjoyed staying in touch periodically by phone, note, and Facebook in the time since my visit. Unfortunately, by the time my Mother retired and might have had even more time to travel – like to Kansas – her health had begun to deteriorate and I was never able to drive her out there so that she and I could visit with you all. Rest in peace, Jennie, and perhaps I will get out there to visit you, Ken and extended family, some time in the future. What a marvelous and talented person the world now misses.
Hi, Perry –
I read your comments about my mom, Jennie, to my dad, Ken. He appreciated it so much. Thank you.
I remember my mom telling me about your family, who were so special to her.
Joy