Retha Mary Wood

Born July 11, 1940 in Wedowee, Alabama to Frank and Bulah (Wood) McKee, she married Floyd Wood August 31, 1974 in Marquette Heights and have enjoyed 48 years of Christian marriage. He survives.

Also surviving are two daughters, Tamara Wood Leveque and Stephanie Wood Baletka, both of Pekin; six grandchildren, Candis (Brian Bohm) Leveque and Kyle Leveque, both of East Peoria, Cody (Tonya Hill) Leveque of Manito, Tye Baletka of Pekin, Tashia Baletka of East Peoria and Tessa (Travis) Baletka-Mitchell of Washington; 13 great-grandchildren all who adored Retha; one brother, Floyd McKee of Georgia; one nephew, Rev. Barry McKee of Georgia; one niece, Beverly McKee of Georgia and one sister, Geneva Ann McKee Smith of Georgia.

She was preceded in death by her parents and one nephew, Wayne Smith.

Retha was a sales representative for Home Interiors for five years. She was previously an election judge for Marquette Heights. She also was a Poultry inspector and worked at South wire, both in Georgia.

She had a close and loving relationship with both her family and with God. She enjoyed quilting and made blankets for all of her grandchildren. She also enjoyed bowling and was in a league in North Pekin, winning several trophies. She also liked fishing, cats and gardening and taking care of her flowers. She will be deeply missed, but never forgotten, as she will be with us because in our hearts she will remain forever.

Retha was a member of the North Pekin Church of the Nazarene.

Her service will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday March 30, 2020 at the North Pekin Church of the Nazarene. The Rev. Ron Jansen will officiate. Visitation will be an hour prior to the funeral at the church. Burial will be at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Center, Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61637.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com