Frank Wood

Pictured Brother Frank & Sister Elgie The Following is from the 2001 - Biographical History of Primitive or Old School Baptist Ministers by David Montgomery and Mark Green: I was born on September 15, 1925 to H. L. and Janie Wood and grew up in Hackleburg, Alabama. I served in the Navy air force in WWII and was assigned to the USS Bismark SEA. CVA in the Pacific theatre. We made three invasions: Layette, Luzon and Iwo Jima, where the Japanese sunk our ship by two kamikazes. I was in the sea; hurting and bleeding from my eyes, nose and mouth. I was picked up by a destroyer and then transferred to a hospital ship. While I was on this ship, every gun stopped firing—no noise could be heard. From my hospital bed, it was announced that the Americans had raised Old Glory on the top of a volcano on Iwo Jima. I have never so much shouting and praying as I heard that day. Thank the Lord, we had won the fight. I went home for a thirty-day leave and met a little girl that I had seen at a sacred harp singing school. We were soon married. We moved to Montgomery, Alabama and joined New Hope Church. Afterwards, we and six others moved our membership to Fairmont Church in Sylacauga, Alabama. They extended us an arm to build a new church. We were in our new building in October 1963. I was ordained on December 18, 1965. The Lord has blessed me to serve this church for 35 years. Elders K. W. Yaeger, John Williams and A. L. Beckett and myself have been pastors. We have 62 members now and are a member of the Lower Wetumpka Association of Alabama. OBITUARY Elder Frank Wood Passed away September 23, 2018 Prattville - WOOD, Benjamin Franklin "Frank", 93, of Prattville, passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2018. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Ridout's Prattville Chapel. A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday at 11:00 AM in the funeral home chapel by his grandson Dr. Patrick Brandon Wood. Burial with military honors will follow in Oak Hill Cemetery. Elder Frank Wood was born on September 15, 1925 to the late Loyd Wood and Janie Anglin Wood. He was a U.S. Navy combat veteran of World War II and served aboard the U.S.S. Bismarck Sea which was sunk by Japanese kamikaze attacks during the Battle for Iwo Jima. He served as pastor of the Montgomery Primitive Baptist Church for 47 years and was retired from the State of Alabama with 33 years of service. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 73 years, Elgie Wood; a son and daughter in law, Richard F. and Debbie Wood; a daughter and son in law, Janice W. and David Payton; sisters Jean Ray and Julia Ann Thornton; four grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and close friends. Pallbearers will be Richard Wood, Jonathan Wood, David Payton, Michael Payton, Tim Bowden and Colton Bowden. Honorary pallbearers will be Dawson Payton and Caden Wood.