Obituary of Ethel "Sister" Wood

Ethel “Sister” Wood, 84, of Camden, SC and formerly of New York, NY, entered into eternal rest on Friday, February 3, 2023. Born in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Robert and Dorothy Carter Williams, and the wife of Otis L. Wood. She was a graduate of George Washington High School in Manhattan, NY, and attended the Herbert H. Lehman School of Business in Bronx, NY. Ethel was a member of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Camden, SC, and Shiloh Baptist Church in New York, where she faithfully performed the work of the Lord for over 60 years. Ethel had a passion for working with the youth in the church, witnessing to and mentoring countless young women while serving with Youth For Christ and the Young Adult Missionaries. She was also a Civil Rights Advocate and had served as both Vice President and President of the National Council of Negro Women, Bronx Section. She spent her working life with the New York Telephone Company, starting out as a switchboard operator and working her way up to becoming one of the first black managers in the company where she managed over 300 people. She was also an active member of the NY Telephone Pioneers. Her heart for service carried over into other roles as well, including working as a troop leader for the Girl Scouts of America and serving over 10 years with the NY Board of Elections as a Poll Operator. Ethel also enjoyed shopping, crocheting, and spending time with her family. She was a light and a mentor to all who crossed her path, and she will be deeply missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing her.

Left to cherish her fond memory is her husband, Otis L. Wood; her children, Brian Lee Wood, Sr. (Lori) and Dwyanne Robert Wood; her grandchildren, Faith Nicole Wood, Jasmine Holly Wood, Brianna Marche’ Scales (Treavor), Brian Lee Wood, Jr., and Dwyanne Robert Xavier Wood, Jr.; as well as a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, family and friends.

A Public Viewing will be held from 10:00am to 5:00pm on Friday, February 10, 2023 at Powers Funeral Home, Lugoff, SC. A Homegoing Service for Ethel Wood will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 1186 Black River Road, Camden, SC. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The famliy will be showing the service on zoom at this link:

https://us05web.zoom.us/j/2769213389?pwd=T3dYSkNVenJEL1pqODlvSEsvWFhuUT09#success

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