Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Emily Ann Wood (Meemaw), born August 2, 1943, entered her heavenly home from her earthly home in Bay City, Texas, on May 13, 2023. She was a faithful member of First Baptist Church in Bay City. Emily spent her childhood in Wilmington, North Carolina, where she met her husband of 54 years, Walter Lane Wood. The junior high sweethearts began their life together on October 6, 1962. Their love continued to grow through the birth of their only daughter, Teresa Ann Wood, her marriage to Ricky Busha, the birth of their two granddaughters, Sara, married to Jonathan Alexander and Kristin, married to Andrew Straub. The love Meemaw and Peepaw had for each other will be forever cherished and live on through their 10 great grandchildren Bernadette, Gianna, Gideon, Ezekiel, Abigail, Veronica, Johnny, Olivia, Isidore, & Isabella. We know their reunion before the face of Jesus was filled with utter joy and Peepaw's contagious laugh.

Emily loved working with her hands making many crafts. Her love for crafting led her to work with lifelong friends at Threads, Quilts and Creations. She served others with gifts of comfort pillows during their time of need. She loved her time outside tending to her flowers, birds, butterflies and gardening. She served right beside her husband with our local Hospice, and she was never more herself than when she was able to join him, as her favorite Santa, to be Mrs. Claus spreading Christmas joy.

Meemaw loved to teach Sara and Kristin how to sew, crochet, and make the best hand biscuits. With the great grandchildren, she did the same, as much as her spunky little self could, while she was quietly fighting chronic illness for the last decade of her life. Emily might have been petite in stature, but her fight for life and love of her family was far from petite.

Emily is preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Walter Wood, her parents, Richard and Ann Burt, and her sister, Iva Thomas. She is survived by her daughter, Terri (Ricky) Busha, brother, Robert Burt, granddaughters, Sara (Jonathan) Alexander & Kristin (Andrew) Straub, and 10 great grandchildren.

It is with our deepest gratitude that we thank Dr. Alan Byrd and Dr. Shilpan Shah for their care for Emily throughout her years. We are forever grateful for the Angels Care Home Health nurses and staff, who lovingly cared for Emily through her many years of fighting chronic illness. The same gratitude is extended to Angels Care Hospice nurses and aides, who with great love and compassion served Emily in her final days.

The celebration of Emily's life will begin with the visitation on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at First Baptist Church at 1:00 pm. The funeral service will immediately follow and begin at 2:00 pm officiated by Dr. Mike Zimmerman. Interment will follow at Cedarvale Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Andrew Straub, Jonathan Alexander, Terry Busha, Larry Busha, Mike Brown and Bob King. Honorary pallbearers are Ricky Busha and Bill Cross. Memorial donations may be made to First Baptist Church Camp Scholarship Fund.