Benjamin Russell Wood

Benjamin Russell Wood, age 95 left this earth in peaceful passing on August 18, 2020. He was born December 31, 1924 as the fourth child to Charles Francis and Elizabeth Jones Wood. He was a lifelong resident of the Statesville Community in Autauga County and a member Ivy Creek Methodist Church in Autaugaville, Al. He attended in school in Autaugaville and graduated from Hicks Memorial in 1943. He was drafted into the United States Army, trained as a combat engineer and served in the European Theater during World War II. At the end of the war he returned in 1946 and entered college, he earned a Bachelors Degree in Agricultural Science from Auburn University in 1950. He was widely known as a leader in the agricultural community, he has been honored by numerous organizations for his contributions to his field. He was a Charter Member of Autaugaville Lions Club where he received the Melvin Jones Fellow Award. Survivors include wife Catherine of 65 years, three children: Catherine L. Wood (Charles) Cowart M.D. Elizabeth Rebecca (Carroll) Hopkins and Rusty Wood. Seven Grandchildren: Chris Cowart, Catherine Cowart, Celia Cowart(Buck) Williams, Rebecca Hopkins (Chase) Williams, Laura Hopkins (Kevin) Hudson, Ben Hopkins (Keri), and David Hopkins (Candace) and nine Great grandchildren. Active Pallbearers will be : Chris Cowart, Ben Hopkins, David Hopkins, Buck Williams, Chase Williams and Trey Tew. Honorary Pallbearers will be Dr. Bill Bledsoe, Bobby Schackleford, Col. Tom Blake, Ewell Russell, Milton Wendland and Col. Donald Tyus. Funeral services will be held on Friday August 21st from Ivy Creek United Methodist Church at 3:00 pm with Richard Lucas and Rick Patterson officiating. Burial will follow in Ivy Creek Methodist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ivy Creek United Methodist Church 560 County Road One South Selma, Al 36703 334-875-1890.