September 19, 1934 ~ September 19, 2025 (age 91)
Rosemary was born to Paul and Bonnie Ruth McCleskey Spindor on September 19, 1934, in Azle, TX. She passed away peacefully on her 91st birthday to join her husband Harold in heaven.
Rosemary was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and a faithful servant of God.
She grew up in several communities in Erath County surrounded by extended family and graduated from Stephenville High School in 1952. Several years later she attended college at the University of Houston Clear Lake focusing on elementary education and became a long-term substitute elementary school teacher for many years.
Rosemary married her high school sweetheart, Harold Bell Wood Jr., on August 8, 1953, and celebrated their 72nd anniversary this year.
Rosemary followed Harold to North Texas State University after their wedding where he completed his college degree and she worked at the college. After Harolds graduation, they began their life together moving to New Orleans, LA for Harold’s first job and nine months later moved to Freeport where Harold began his career with Dow Chemical Company and later moved to nearby Lake Jackson.
Rosemary was a beautiful person on the inside and the outside and beloved by all. She was a wonderful homemaker and loved to entertain. She was known for her hostess and culinary skills treating friends and family to wonderful meals and dropping off kolaches or other treats to neighbors or church members who were ill or just moved into the neighborhood. Rosemary and Harold were well known for their annual Christmas caroling parties at the local retirement communities followed by dinner at their home where they served snacks, homemade chili and pies.
Laughter was a common thread throughout their marriage, and they were devoted to each other.
Following Harold’s retirement at age 57, they focused on the things they both loved: travel, family, service and faith.
Harold had the travel bug and Rosemary joined in on the adventures which began when their three children were young and continued into their early 80s. Together they visited all the state capitals and most of the national parks. They also traveled internationally, visiting six of the seven continents.
Part of their travels also included projects with Texans on Missions (formerly Texas Baptist Men) with Rosemary actively participating on builds by preparing meals, helping keep the building sites clean and enjoying the fellowship.
Rosemary had a deep, abiding faith in Christ that motivated her to serve others. Rosemary and Harold were active members at FBC Freeport and after a move to Lake Jackson joined First Baptist Church of Lake Jackson where they were members for 57 years.
Rosemary was active in Women’s Missionary Union, after school programs and Vacation Bible School. She also had a ministry of visiting Carriage Inn Retirement Community where she would sit and visit with residents while trimming and filing their fingernails – in the same setting where she spent the last 2 years of her life in Memory Care.
Rosemary and Harold also served together teaching in preschool and elementary age Sunday School classes, ministering to widows, participating in missions and their last post as Director and Secretary of the Senior Adult 5 class for 20 years.
Rosemary is survived by her three children Jerilynn Armstrong and husband Don Armstrong, Steven Wood and his wife Mary Jo Wood, Larry Wood, grandchildren Kevin Wood and his fiancée Kaelyn Motzel, Kyle Armstrong and his wife Tabitha, Marion Armstrong and her husband Brent, David Wood and his wife Sara, Adam Kalinec and his wife Jennifer, and Keith Kalinec and his fiancée Anna Arpon. She had 10 great grandchildren Kelsie Kalinec, Eleanor, Lottie, and Darby Armstrong, Elowyn, Gwyneth, Asher and Titus Wood, and Sydney and Elizabeth Wood.
There will be a Memorial Service at First Baptist Church, Lake Jackson, Texas on Saturday, September 27 with Brad Dawson officiating. The service will be at 1 p.m. followed by a reception in the church parlor.
Services for Rosemary Wood will be Sunday September 28, 2025 at Lacy Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 p.m. The family will greet friends and family one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at East Memorial Cemetery, Stephenville, Texas.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating in her memory to:
First Baptist Church Lake Jackson
401 Yaupon Street
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Texans on Mission
5351 Catron Drive
Dallas, TX 75227
(214) 275-1100
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