Eleanor (Ellie) Mathews Wood

Eleanor (Ellie) Mathews Wood, daughter of William Murphy Mathews and Thelma McMichael, was born April 25, 1923 in Atlanta, Georgia and passed away February 7, 2007, from the debilitating effects of a four-year battle with neuropathy. Ellie attended Oglethorpe University in Atlanta, Georgia, where she was a member of Chi Omega Sorority. A resident of Huntsville since 1963, she was very active as a Girl Scout leader, advisor to the Methodist Youth Fellowship at First United Methodist Church, alumni advisor to the Sam Houston State University Chapter of Chi Omega, Friends of the Huntsville Public Library and Walker County Genealogical Society, serving in various capacities including compilation of the Walker County history book and as president. She retired as serials librarian from Sam Houston State University in 1981. She and her husband have been active contributors to the Wood-Mathews Endowment Fund providing scholarship funds for deserving students at Sam Houston State University. She was preceded in death by her parents and lone sibling, Patricia Mathews. She is survived by her husband of 61 years, J. I. Wood; three daughters – Pat Taliaferro (Lloyd) of Huntsville, Charlotte McConnell (James) of Pflugerville, Nancy Wood-Dines (Jim) of Albuquerque, New Mexico, four granddaughters and five great-grandsons. The family desires to acknowledge and express their deep appreciation to Ellie’s dedicated caregivers: Annie Kizzee, Connie Love, Elimae Branch, Lexie Tolbert, Delois Merchant and Doris Jenkins. Services for Ellie will be held Saturday February 10, 2007 at 2 PM at the Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home with Dr. Bruce Hay officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday February 9, 2007 from 5 to 7 PM at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home. In lieu of usual remembrances, the family suggests your consideration of a contribution in Ellie’s memory to the Wood-Mathews Endowment (Acct. # 321-40-0039) at Sam Houston State University, Office of University Advancement, Box 2537, Huntsville, Texas 77341, Attn: Thelma Mooney or the charity of your choice. Those wishing to leave memorial condolences for the family may do so at www.shmfh.com.

Eleanor (Ellie) Mathews Wood

April 25, 1923 - February 10, 2007