Obituaries

Martha Elizabeth Wood

Photo of Martha Elizabeth Wood
Martha Elizabeth Hiser Townsend Wood died unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep at St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas February 6, 2015. Martha was born in Moro, Arkansas August 8, 1923 to the late Mary and F.E. (Pat) Hiser. Martha also lived for a time in Marianna, Arkansas and Searcy prior to her marriage to her first husband Willis Townsend in 1945. Martha resided in Little Rock, Arkansas until her marriage to Harry K. Wood. Harry and Martha moved to Edgemont, Arkansas where they lived for years actively participating in their church and community. Martha graduated from Searcy High School in 1941 and then attended Harding College. Martha went on to work tirelessly volunteering in Little Rock for the Red Cross, the Arkansas Heart Association and numerous other charities. She was also very active in the Republican Party for decades. While in Cleburne County Martha served on the Board of Directors as a volunteer for Haven House in Heber Springs, a safe house for abused women and children. Martha enjoyed playing bridge with her bridge friends and she loved cooking and entertaining friends and family. Martha was truly loved and cherished by many friends, her family and her church members. Martha was preceded in death by her parents and both husbands as well as her stepson Erwin Woods of The Woodlands, Texas; James Walker Harris, stepson-in-law of Burlington, North Carolina and great-great-niece, Mercy Elizabeth Whitfield of Lewisville, Texas. Martha is survived by her sister, Mary Patricia D'Auteuil of Rogers, Arkansas; her nieces, Mary Marshall Hall (Thom) of Whidbey Island, Washington; Charlotte Garrett (David) of Rogers, Arkansas and Martha Elise Price (Mack) of Dallas, Texas; her nephew, Mark D'Auteuil of Russellville, Arkansas; stepson, John Wood of Little Rock; stepdaughters, Miriam Harris of Burlington, N.C.; Harryette Wood of Benton and step-daughter-in-law, Vicki Wood of The Woodlands, Texas. Also included are her niece, Laurie Townsend Rosenwasser of The Woodlands, Texas; 11 great-nieces and nephews; 15 great-great-nieces and nephews; 10 step-grandchildren and 22 step-great-grandchildren and her special friend and caretaker Becky Gentry. Martha was a long standing member of the Holiday Hills United Methodist Church in Greers Ferry, Arkansas. Services will be Thursday, February 12 at Holiday Hills UMC, Greers Ferry, Ark. Visitation is from 9-10 a.m. Funeral is at 10 a.m. Interment will be at 2:30 p.m. at Roselawn Memorial Cemetery in Little Rock, Ark. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be made in Martha's honor to the Holiday Hills United Methodist Church in Greers Ferry or any charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Olmstead Funeral Home. www.olmstead.cc.

Published February 11, 2015

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