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The heavens rejoice as one of God’s children has gone home to be with her eternal family. Lucy Violet Hale Wood died Monday, June 2, 2008, in her home surrounded by her loved ones. She joined her beloved husband of 54 years, J. Chester Wood, and infant son, Richard Harry Wood.

Violet was born March 16, 1922, to Martha Pratt Hale and Archie Hale in Union County, where she remained her entire life of 86 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Leona Hale; her husband; infant son; and her sister, Bertha Hale Thurlkill.

Survivors include two sons, Larry Wood (Martha) of El Dorado, and J. Michael Wood (Greta) of Shallotte, N.C.; four daughters, Carolyn Fraser (Bob) of Borrego Springs, Calif., Paula Dodds (Doyle) of Wynnewood, Okla., Margaret Holzem (John) of El Dorado, and Lynne Jones (Richard) of El Dorado; three sisters, Ruth Swilley Carr, Nellie McGee (James) of Farmerville, La., and Nettie Clark of Elizabeth, La.; one brother, Jimmy Hale (Frances) of Nacogdoches, Texas; 23 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; several step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

After meeting the love of her life at a year-end school program and cakewalk, she began her life as a homemaker, becoming a wonderful cook, an avid gardener, poetry writer and dedicated genealogy researcher. She was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, where she had served as Relief Society president and taught Primary Sunday School.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8 p.m. today at Young’s Funeral Directors. Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 28th St. and Calion Road. Burial will follow in Smyrna Cemetery with her grandsons serving as pallbearers.

Memorials may be made to the Ricky Wood Benefit Fund, c/o Smackover State Bank, 125 W. Fifth St., El Dorado, AR 71730.

An online guest registry is available at www.youngsfuneralhome.com.