Joan Wood

Eleanor Joan (Worthington) Wood was born July 7, 1934, on her parents farm east of Seiling, OK. She was an only child of Elmer and Mable Worthington. Her parents were loving and kind and nurtured our mom with a gentle spirit and a firm hand. They taught her about Jesus and church was a large part of their lives. They also put a high premium on education. They taught her the value of hard work. Mom milked her first cow at age 5 and she would have to help milk before she got on the school bus to head to school. Mom attended a little school called Diamond School that she had to walk one mile to and from each day. She attended there for 2 years before attending the school in Seiling. 

At the age of 7 mom began to study piano which became a life long gift from God to share with students, family, church and community. She was also known for her singing voice and performed at various events throughout her life. At one point mom was to audition for the New York Metropolitan Opera but decided that she would rather have a family than a career on the East Coast. So she stayed here. We are glad she did!

During her senior year at Seiling High, mom was elected President of her Senior class. She graduated as the class Salutatorian of the class of 1952. She then attended Southwestern State College in Weatherford, OK, graduating in 1956 with a BA degree in Public School Music and Elementary Education. While there, she performed on campus, piano and voice and was a member of a national honorary fraternity, and was chosen to be among the few in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She also performed as one of the soloists on a Southwestern Singers Concert tour to Mexico for two weeks. They performed on top of the Pyramid to the Sun.

In the fall of 1956, mom began teaching elementary music in Tulsa, OK at the Irving School. She taught over two hundred students in grades one through six daily. This lasted for fifteen months when she resigned to marry our dad, the love of her life, Charles Wood on December 22, 1957. They moved to Wichita, KS where she did substitute teaching, while dad worked at Standard Products Co. 

In the summer of 1958, mom and dad moved to Anthony, KS. Dad started farming the ground NW of Anthony on the Wood Homestead and he commuted to Wichita to work in the aircraft industry. Mom taught vocal music for grades four through twelve in the Anthony schools for the 1958-1959 school year. In 1959-1960, she taught vocal music at Bluff City School-grades one through twelve. She also taught vocal music at Freeport Elementary school in the mid 1960’s. Mom served as director of various church choirs. She then began a successful private voice and piano studio in the home and taught intermittently, mainly piano students, until retirement in her later years. She had several gifted students whom she taught piano and she was very proud of them. She accompanied the Chaparral Singers under Leon Ballenger for a musical at Chaparral High School. She sang in the Anthony-Harper Community Christmas Concerts, and directed a 4-H club choir. She was also a girl scout leader when we were younger. Substitute teaching and finally attending WSU Graduate School of Music to earn her Masters Degree of Music Education in 1984. She then taught in USD 361 from 1996-2006 when she retired.  

During this time she managed the farm because dad had a major stroke in 1982. Through all of this her faith remained strong and she always tried to take the opportunity to teach and tell what the Lord was doing in her life. There were many disappointments and hardships, but mom did not waver in her trust of what God could do and He was always faithful. She was baptised in a creek as a young girl and later as an adult she was baptized again to rededicate herself to God. Her love for Jesus carried her through many trials and gave her many joys as well. 

One of mom’s highlights was when she and dad went on a farm tour in Europe and while they were in Paris, France, on March 7, 1979 mom was able to meet and visit with Nadia Boulanger. Mom also celebrated her 70th birthday by riding a hot air balloon over Pagosa Springs, CO, which was quite the experience. 

Mom passed away at her apartment at Country Living on March 7, 2026. She was preceded in death by her parents Elmer and Mable Worthington, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, George and Mary Beth Wood, and her beloved husband of 57 years and three months, Charles Scanland Wood. She is survived by her five children and their spouses: Barbara Alison & Dan Muse of rural Anthony, KS, Charilyn Joan & Brian Henry of Hutchinson, KS, Kathryn Anne & Tony Duran of Anthony, KS, Debra Alaine & James Muniz of Augusta, KS and Jon William Worthington & LaTisha Wood of Wichita, KS. Twelve grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren: Aaron & Kelci Muse and Kya, Kylee & Jener FlyingOut and Drake, Danna, Danae’ and Dane, Tisha & John Estep and Myael Williams and Jeremiah Jace Estep, Deven & Julia Wood, Charilyn & Seth Litton and Ellie, Emily, Evelyn, Elyse & baby Litton, Carlie & Nathan Shepard and Clayton, Kavin Hess, Michael & Kaleena Rogers and Amelia & baby Rogers, Matthew Rogers, Jacob & Samantha Wood, Jonah & Hezekiah Wood, Olivia Wood, Micah Wood. Two great-great-grandchildren: Adela & Iris Williams. Also several cousins and many friends. 

The family would like to express a special thank you to Country Living for the wonderful care they gave to Joan.  

Funeral Service was held 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 13, 2026 at the Christian Church in Anthony with Pastor Ron Eden officiating.  Burial followed in Spring Grove Cemetery, west of Anthony.  

Memorials in memory of Joan should be made directly payable to Anthony Christian Church Mission Fund or to Country Living Inc. and can be sent in care of Prairie Rose Funeral Home, 602 E. Main St., Anthony, KS 67003.