Marie Squires Wood

Marie Squires Wood, of Valdosta, passed away on Friday, August 11, 2023, at the age of 82. Marie is the wife of retired Lt Col Garey T. Wood and mother to Carolyn (Wesley) Force, the late Frank Wood, Lydia (Kurt) Marie Wood, and the late "Baby Andy". Following the death of Frank, his son Jonathan (Kellie) became their fifth child.

Meema to another six grandchildren, Daniel (Grace) Force, Sara (Don) Williams, Alden (Emily) Force, Jessica (Nick) Stabile, Corey Dawkins and Amanda (Anthony) Pierce. As well as thirteen great grandchildren.

Marie is preceded in death by her parents, A.P. and Carolyn Weston Squires, a sister Claire Spriggs Marrs and brother Andy E. Squires. Along with her immediate family she leaves behind two sisters, Ellen Mccarthey and Lydia (John) Keene, a brother, David Squires, best friend, Lee Gould and a host of nieces, nephews and other extended family.

Marie lived a life full of laughter, fun and joy beginning with her birth as a farm girl in Albany, GA. After the family moved to Valdosta she met and married Garey following a blind date. They traveled the world with the United States Air Force and raised their children in a home grounded in service and volunteerism.

Garey and Marie were married for 59 years. During that time she studied at Perry Business School as well as Ole Miss. But her heart was pulled to volunteerism. Marie served in base thrift stores, her children's schools and eventually with her grandchildren. One of her favorite volunteer opportunities was with John Davis and her daughter, Carolyn at S.L. Mason. She, her sister Claire and friend Lee would read and have special parties with the children on a weekly basis until they moved to the new school.

Marie also served in community clubs such as the Amaryllis Garden Club, (her yard was always in full bloom!!), Valdosta Reader's Review, Valdosta Wymodausis, Daughters of the American Revolution and was a founding member of the Valdosta Chapter of The Daughters of American Colonist. Marie was a proud Valdosta Wildcat fan.

A weekly highlight for Marie was meeting with friends and family for her Friday Friends Lunch. These ladies, and sometimes men, would welcome anyone to the table, but would not wait for them if they ran late. There were too many things to fill the day. "No one had time to waste waiting."

Lives can be filled with pain, sorrow and tragedy. Marie chose to take each day as a gift that she could give to others. She served her husband, her children, her family, her friends, her community and her country well. Her life was full of joy, laughter, and thanksgiving because she chose it to be. A legacy picked up by those she leaves behind.

A memorial service will be held at 3pm on Saturday, August 19, 2023 in the chapel of the Carson McLane Funeral Home. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 2-3pm. In lieu of flowers donations to Speech Pathology Department at VSU or Pearlman Cancer Center. Online condolences may be left on the obituary page at www.mclanecares.com.

Carson McLane Funeral Home