Mr. Leslie B. Wood

LESLIE BRAXTON WOOD, the middle child of seven sons of the late Frank Tucker Wood and Julia Braxton Wood, was born on July 12, 1917 in Gloucester County, Virginia. He departed this life on February 24, 2013 at Levindale Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland following an extended illness. Leslie attended school in a one room schoolhouse, walking five miles there each day. In 1936, he completed the eleventh grade, the highest grade available to him in public school at the time. Leslie saved his money for three years in order to have funds to attend North Carolina A & T College. He completed his undergraduate studies at what in now Morgan State University in 1950, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Leslie’s Christian faith was nurtured through his years of worship and service at Union Zion Church in Gloucester, where he was baptized at an early age. Leslie served in the United States Army during World War II and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. Later, he lived and worked for some time in Washington, DC. Leslie and Hattie Mathias Wood were united in marriage and enjoyed years of devoted work together on business ventures, mission projects and in dedicated service to others. They were active worshipers at Providence until Hattie’s death in February, 1976. Leslie had become a member of Providence Baptist Church in Baltimore on September 14, 1952, joining his brother, Rev. Marcus Wood, who had been called as the pastor of the church. He remained a strong supporter of the church’s ministries and programs, contributing his time, talents and treasures in service to providence for more than sixty years. A skilled carpenter, Leslie constructed unique and useful articles to enhance the church and support various special activities and initiatives. It was Leslie who built the wooden model of the church that serves as the collection vessel for the mortgage drive. He installed the hanging stained glass windows in the churches prayer tower and built prayer alters for the desert room there. Leslie’s skilled handywork can be seen throughout the church, in such unique and well-made as: clothes racks in the men’s and women’s choir rooms, shelving in the emergency food pantry, a cabinet for pledge cards, a mini-communion table, a kneeling stool for marriage ceremonies, the Bible holder for the Baptismal Pool, display tables for the church narthex, a memorial board, cabinet for the television, dollies for stacking chairs, a showcase for new members pictures and a number of other wooden fixtures and artifacts throughout the church. A man of strong faith and solid beliefs, Leslie was an ordained Deacon at Providence who served the Lord faithfully, in the church and in the community. For many years, he transported children for the neighborhood, and beyond to Sunday Church School, Baptist Evening Fellowship and Vacation Church School. Deacon Wood’s extensive support for Providence included at varied times, membership on the Board of Trustees, a Scout Master, Assistant Chairman of the Emergency Food Committee, organizer of the Hospitality Committee, organizer of the “Adopt-A-Family” Project, Chairman of the Membership Committee, member of the M.G. Wood Fellowship Club, member of the Men’s Chorus and Gospel Choir, member of the Gospel Chorus and member of the Board of Christian Education. Deacon Wood served with distinction as an early leader of the “Self Help and Resource Exchange (S.H.A.R.E.) Program”, a program of food distribution and community service. His leadership supported the spread of S.H.A.R.E. to more than twenty-five local churches and earned him induction into the “Hall of Fame for Volunteers” in Maryland. Deacon Wood was an entrepreneur who sold natural food products and vitamins many years before others became active promoters of good nutrition. Leslie’s outreach extended beyond his church and included his participation in missionary service to Haiti and Guyana with his wife Hattie, Rev. Woos and other members of the congregation. A program prepared to celebrate Leslie’s 90th birthday in July, 2007 described him as “A Man for All Season”. Truly, he was a dependable, able, committed Christian servant in summer, fall, winter and spring. Four of Leslie’s brothers: Frank, Alan, Levi and Lockley preceded him in death. Brothers; Marcus (sister-in-law, Bessie) and Garnett (sister-in-law, Frances), celebrate his life and mourn his passing. His memory is also cherished by his niece, Betty Wood Crawley (Dr. Vernon Crawley). Betty lived with Leslie and Hattie and was an integral part of their family from the age of twelve. Leslie’s memory is held dear by his many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and –nephews, his Providence Church family and other relatives and friends.

Tributes

Mr. Leslie B. Wood

July 12, 1917 - February 24, 2013