ANNIE SARA HANNAH WOOD, age 86 years, a long time resident of Beverly, WV departed this life peacefully Saturday May 14, 2011 at her home, surrounded by her family.
She was born Sunday, April 26, 1925 at Arbovale, WV a daughter of the late George Venable and Willie Gully Hannah. On February 14, 1943, at the Hannah Farm at Arbovale, WV she was married to Donald Graham Wood, who survives at Hanwood Farm in Beverly. They had celebrated sixty-eight years of marriage. Also surviving are four daughters: Linda Conners and husband Robert, Baltimore, MD; Anita Gordon and husband Jack, Chadds Ford, PA: Ann Keeney and husband Steve, Corliss, WV; and Dawn Swecker and husband Arden, II; Beverly; seven grandchildren; Lisa Gordon Clute and husband Jeff, West Chester, PA; Jill Gordon Malkoun and husband Dan, Stamford, CT; John Keeney and wife Celena, Corliss, WV; Sarah Keeney Doerner and husband Brandon, Hurricane, WV; Melissa Conners Green and husband Sgt. William, II; Beulaville, NC; Amanda Swecker Reese and husband Matt, Evansville, IN; and Hannah Swecker Fincham and husband Derek, Morgantown; and eight great grandchildren; Abby and Adam Clute; Sam and Ben Keeney; Kacey and Dustin Green; and Griffin and Zoe Malkoun.
She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Preceding her in death were four brothers: Samuel Baldwin; William Heavner; Joel Mathews; and George Venable Hannah, Jr. and one great granddaughter, Karissa Renee Green.
Annie attended the schools of Pocahontas County graduating from Greenbank High School with the Class of 1942, and later attended Fairmont Business School. She was well known in Randolph County through her work in the 4-h program. She was an Organizational Leader of the Ski Hi 4-h Club at Beverly and was recently honored for serving forty-five years as a Randolph County 4-h Leader. She was a charter member of the Randolph County 4-h Foundation and became a WV 4-h All Star in the 1970’s. In 2004, she was inducted into the West Virginia 4-h Hall of Fame at Jackson’s Mill. She was also a thirty year member of the Randolph County Recreation Board which manages
4-h Camp Pioneer, where an exhibit building was named in her honor.
Annie was a very active member of the Beverly Presbyterian Church since the 1940’s. She served as an Elder, Sunday school teacher, treasurer, member of the church choir and was an honorary life member of the Beverly Presbyterian Women.
Annie was a member of the Beverly Women’s Club, the John Hart Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Davis Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. She was employed by Dr. Harper during World War II, as well as Dr. Rector, Dr. Duckwall and the Davis Memorial Associates in later years.
Don and Annie had a large group of dear friends with whom they played bridge, golfed, danced and vacationed. For over fifty years, these friends and family enjoyed an annual corn roast at Hanwood Farm. Her greatest love was being a farm wife where she enjoyed her husband, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Annie’s request for cremation was honored. The family will receive friends at the Lohr & Barb Funeral Home of Elkins from 5 to 7 PM, Sunday, May 22, 2011. A Memorial Service will be held at the Beverly Presbyterian Church on Monday, May 23, 2011 at 11:30 AM; with the Rev. Joanne Glaser officiating. A luncheon will be held at the church immediately following the service. A Private Graveside service will be held at the Maplewood Cemetery at Elkins, WV. The family suggests that expressions of sympathy be in the form of contributions to Camp Pioneer, in care of the WVU Extension Office, 32 Randolph Avenue, Suite 102, Elkins, WV 26241 or to the Beverly Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 206, Beverly, WV 26253.
