Azel Vinson Wood

Azel Vinson Wood, age 95, passed away comfortably in his sleep on May 2, 2023, at Country View Assisted Living, Peterstown, WV, where he had been residing since August 2022. 

     Azel was born on June 6, 1927, in Hoo Hoo Holler, Lester WV., the son of James Anderson Wood and

Katherine Willis Farr Wood.  Azel served in the Army in the final stages of WWII, and also met his wife, Mary Ruth Barker Wood “in the holler.”  Azel spent the majority of his career working as an equipment operator for the Pittston Coal Company.  After raising their children in Glen White and Crab Orchard, Azel and Ruth moved back to the “holler” in 1993. 

     Azel was the last of his immediate family.  He was preceded in death by his first daughter, Sandra Kay Hicks, and by his wife, Mary Ruth. 

     Those left to remember Azel are Anita, his daughter, and husband Robert, grandsons Matthew Hicks and wife Melanie, Jason Hicks and wife Natalie, granddaughters Desiree and husband Josh Bradley, and Catherine and husband Aaron Gunther.  Azel was also blessed with six great grandchildren, Lindsay Fuller, Tyler Hicks, Levi Hicks, Kamryn Hicks, Parker Gauldin, and Odin Bradley and two great-great granddaughters, Makenna and Reese Fuller.  Azel is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

     Azel is also survived by Carmela Akers who not only helped take care of him, but also Ruth when their mobility waned in their final years.  The family would like to thank her for being not only a caregiver, but a friend to Azel and Ruth.

     A private service was observed on Thursday, May 4, 2023, with interment  following in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens.  There was no visitation.

     As a final note, the family would like to thank the staff at Country View for their impeccable care for Azel and their kind interactions with us.  Such wonderful people in such a wonderful place doing such wonderful work are an increasing rarity in our world of today.