[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 131 (Tuesday, July 27, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     REMEMBERING NANCY THOMAS WOOD

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                            HON. JOE WILSON

                           of south carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 2021

  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Madam Speaker, South Carolina will 
always cherish the dedicated service of Nancy Thomas Wood as an 
educator in Lexington District 5 of Seven Oak Elementary School, which 
I have gratefully represented in the State Senate and now Congress.
  Mrs. Wood has been an inspiration for her daughter Lou Kennedy, who 
has been recognized as being one of the state's most successful 
business leaders.
  Just last week, President and CEO Lou Kennedy of Nephron 
Pharmaceuticals Corp., announced a $215.8 million expansion creating 
380 new jobs.
  I appreciate the opportunity to include in the Record the following 
obituary for Nancy Thomas Wood.

                           Nancy Thomas Wood

                     December 1, 1938-July 26, 2021

       Nancy Thomas Wood, of Lexington, passed away on Monday, 
     July 26, 2021.
       Mrs. Wood, a loving wife and mother, was an educator for 
     more than 40 years. She taught first grade in Lexington 
     District 5, spending most of her career as a teacher at Seven 
     Oaks Elementary School. Nothing--save her family--gave Mrs. 
     Wood more satisfaction than loving and mentoring thousands of 
     Midlands-area students, who loved her back. She also taught 
     Sunday school and Vacation Bible School.
       Mrs. Wood relocated to Cayce from Kingsport, Tennessee, 
     when husband Jerry took a management job at Eastman Chemical 
     Company. The mother of Lou Wood Kennedy, Mrs. Wood settled 
     into life in the Midlands, where she cheered each promotion 
     Jerry earned and motivated her daughter to work hard, give 
     back and treat everyone with grace.
       Mrs. Wood met her husband when they were teenagers, and 
     they began dating as students at East Tennessee State 
     University. Her father-in-law married the couple, and they 
     recently celebrated 61 years together.
       Mrs. Wood drove daughter Lou to extracurricular activities 
     Lou was involved in growing up, and made certain Lou was 
     equipped with the tools she needed to succeed.
       Surviving Mrs. Wood are her devoted husband, Jerry; loving 
     daughter, Lou Wood Kennedy of Lexington (Bill); 
     granddaughter, Xanna Bailey of Lexington (Travis) and great-
     grandson, Lincoln Bailey. Mrs. Wood is also survived by Paul 
     Wood (Mildred), Sarah Benson, Daniel Wood (Cara), Becky Reece 
     (Chuck), countless nieces and nephews and the Seven Oaks 
     family, with whom she loved to spend time.
       Mrs. Wood was predeceased by her parents; brother, Donald 
     Thomas; sister, Mary Wills and brother-in-law, Lewis Wills. 
     She was also predeceased by brothers-in-law, Lambert and 
     David Wood and other members of the Wood family.
       Visitation will be held from 5:00-6:45 PM on Wednesday, 
     July 28 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home in Lexington and a 
     celebration of life will follow from 6:45-7:15 PM at the 
     funeral home. A private family burial will be held on 
     Thursday, July 29 at 10:00 AM.

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