Mr. Robert E. Wood, age 85 of Ellijay, passed away Thursday, March 9th, 2023 at Heritage Hospice in Marietta.

Mr. Wood was born on April 22nd, 1937 in Jackson County, NC to the late James A. Wood and Hazel Kitchens Wood. He was a graduate of Ellijay High School. Mr. Wood also graduated from Southern Polytechnic State University. He was employed by the Georgia Department of Transportation in Atlanta, the Urban Design Department, and also worked as an Assistant Public Work Director in DeKalb County. Mr. Wood served six years with the U.S. Army Combat Engineers. He then went on to be involved in a family construction business in Washington, D.C. and Ellijay. Mr. Wood was also a Building Inspector in Georgia and Florida. Mr. Wood was on the Steering Committee which organized the Ellijay/Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce, and he served as the Chairman of the Board in 1982. Mr. Wood and his wife, Vence, enjoyed traveling across the United States, Philippines, and Australia. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers, James Lowell Wood and Harrill Wood.

Survivors include his wife, Jovencia "Vence" A. Wood of the home; daughter, Shayni Lei Grant of Ooltewah, TN; sister-in-law, Clara Wood; two grandchildren, Chandler Grant and Hannah Grant; nephew, Sid (Frances) May; niece, Susan (Lee) Mears; several cousins; and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 12th at 2:00 PM from the chapel of Bernhardt Funeral Home with Rev. Emuel Sanford officiating. Interment will follow in the Northcutt Baptist Church cemetery. Pallbearers serving will be Sid May, Lee Mears, Chandler Grant, Ransom Mark, Rick Larson, and Pat Shelton.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 11th from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

Food and flowers will be accepted, or donations can be made to to the Northcutt Baptist Church Cemetery Fund in memory of Mr. Robert E. Wood.

Bernhardt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.