Carol Wood

Carol Wood, the go-to person many Washington County homemakers turned to for home and kitchen advice for more than 30 years, died July 5, 2023. The cause was complications from Alzheimer’s Disease. She was 84. Carol Wood was the long-time Extension Home Economist for the Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension Service. She accepted her first position with Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension in 1970, as a 4-H agent working with youth and soon became the Extension Home Economist working with adults. She spent her entire career in Washington County and retired in January, 2001. Throughout the course of her career she would work with both children and adult programs. In 1988 she was nationally recognized receiving the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) Distinguished Service Award. In the late 1990s she also received the Cleo Bryan Award for distinguished work in Oklahoma. She knew from an early age she would one day work in cooperative extension. In the fourth grade, the Haskell County Agent and the Home Demonstration Agent (later renamed Extension Home Economist) came to her school to organize a 4-H Club. Carol knew from that day she wanted to do that work. In Washington County she worked with Extension Homemaker Groups and other family - based organizations such as the YWCA and DHS throughout the county teaching a monthly lesson for each group. Lessons would be on sewing, canning, and anything family and home related. She wrote a weekly newspaper article and had weekly radio lesson. In the 1970s when microwave ovens became affordable she led lessons to many community groups teaching how to cook family meals in this new, high tech oven. In the 1980s she had a weekly cooking show televised on the Cable News Paper, seen on local cable. Carol was born Nevada Carolene Martin on January 3, 1939 to Willam (Buck) Amos Martin and Oleda Edith Underwood Martin in her paternal grandmother’s farmhouse in Enterprise, OK. She was named Nevada after her mother’s deceased, favorite cousin. Her parents always called her Carolene but her sisters were unable to pronounce the name. Instead they called her “Sissy,” which continued through her life. Her father was a farmer and later worked road construction. Their family moved throughout southern Oklahoma. Haskell County, more particularly Whitefield, Oklahoma, was mainly home. Growing up she spent much time on Beaver Mountain with her Underwood cousins. Saturday night was for singing; instruments were brought out and everyone would gather on the mountain to sing. She graduated from Stigler High School in 1956 and attended Eastern Oklahoma A & M College on a Vocal Music scholarship where she earned an Associates of ART Degree in Vocal Music and an Associates of Science Degree in Home Economics. She attended Oklahoma State University and received and Bachelors of Science Degree in Home Economics in 1961. In 1986 Carol earned a Master of Science Degree in Home Economics Education and Community Services. During her career she served on the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) as a Committee Member, and a member of the National Board as Registration Chair for the Phoenix, AZ national meeting. She served as Secretary, Northeast District Director, Committee Chair, and Committee Member. She also served as Tour Chairman when Oklahoma Family and Consumer Science Agents hosted the National NEAFCS meeting in Tulsa. She received other scholarships and award during her time as Extension Educator. She met her husband, Jim Wood, at the Baptist Student Union at Oklahoma State University. They were both the first in their families to attend college. They met February, 1961 and four months later married in Whitefield. They were married 56 years until Jim died September 17, 2017. Carol is predeceased by her parents, her husband, Jim, and her sister, Nona Martin Babb. She is survived by her son, Tim Wood, of Bartlesville; her daughter, Sarah Reid (Tom) and grandchildren, Tommy Reid and Hannah Reid, of Tulsa; and her sisters, Kaye Martin Barousse, of Church Point, LA; and Terri Martin Mussett (Donnie), of Muskogee, OK. Carol resided at Green Country Village since Jim’s death. She was a friend to everyone who lived and worked there. She knew everyone in the Assisted Living and Lakeview building, and every resident and staff member had a story about Carol. She will be greatly missed not only by her family but also by her extended Green Country family. Green Country Village Assisted Living and Lakeview will be noticeably quiet with her departure. The family deeply thanks Green Country Village for their love, care, and support. Not only was it Carol’s home, but it became our home as well. We cannot say enough about the kindness and generosity of the entire staff. Special thanks to Comforting Hands Hospice. They lovingly cared and supported Carol as her health declined. Thank you to Journey Home for your kindness and comfort during Carol’s final hours. Please, no flowers. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the Green Country Village Employee Appreciation Fund in the memory of Carol Wood Green Country Village Employee Appreciation Fund 1025 Swan Dr Bartlesville, OK 74006

Carol Wood

January 3, 1939 - July 5, 2023