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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (May 3, 1979)
Piig«6 Portland Observer Thursday. May 3. 1979 Portland Profile Obituary GEORGE E. WOOD When the world seems cold A nd your friends are few There is someone who cares fo r you When you need a friend A friend to the end God's your fnend and he cares fo r you. Gospel singer and lover o f all mankind, George E. Wood, who still continued to praise God and sing his most favorite songs on his death bed, died Thursday morning, A pril 12, 1979, in Memorial Hospital, Coffey ville, Kansas. He was admitted to the hospital March 30, 1979, one day following his 95th birthday Wood was born in Ft. Scott, Kan sas, March 29, 1884. one o f five children to the late Sally Carpenter Wood and William Wood. At two years o f age he moved w ith his parents, in a covered wagon to stake out a claim in the Kikipoo Reserva tion or te rrito ry , in what is now known as Oklahoma, at which time, Oklahom a had not become statehood. His mother passed away when he was five years o f age, and by the time he was nine, he was more or less taking care o f himself. But in spite o f the hardships he encountered he con- ..jued to hold his head high, and press forward, for as was o f his life ’s philosophies, “ There's a better day ahead.” T hrough almost a century o f living. Wood entertained countless thousands, telling o f his boyhood ex periences, o f how he and his play mates would go miles and miles into the woods to camp out. with nothing more than bow and arrows, to secure meat, such as rabbits, squirrels and various other wild animals to eat. They would then take sticks and rub them together to light the brush and firewood they had gathered and put the meat on a stick and roast them for eating. The next day they would walk un til they would find a river or other such stream for fishing. Especially during these days, many wild roots, weeds and herbs grew near these streams of water. It was a natural thing for even the children to be ac quainted with, and know what most all these roots and things were good for. There was a certain kind o f weed that they would pull from the water’s edge and throw in to the fishing streams that gave o ff a milky-white substance which would cause the fish to become somewhat intoxicated and completely cover the surface o f the water. They would pick out the ones they wanted, take a flat rock and scale them, clean them, and once more make a fire and roast them. Wood, a small-built but dynamic little man, would sit and chuckle, re miniscing over his many childhood antics and experiences. At an early age he learned much about picking cotton, farming, casket making and carpentry. A t fifteen years old, he returned home, where he took pride in building a log house for his father and siblings. He later obtained work as a water boy, and all-around helper on two railroads in Kansas and Oklahoma. He often related the story of how the railmen would let him operate the tra in through the little towns o f Oklahoma Here was this smiling, little Black boy with his cap turned around backwards waving and pulling the whistle. Everyone in town would be waiting and waving at him when he came through. H aving reached m anhood, he moved to Tulsa. Oklahoma, where he met and married the late Florence Interested in current books about African Liberation? Visit: JOHN REED BOOK STORE In the Dekum Building 519 S W 3rd Avenue Sixth Floor Or Call 227 2902 r C hcrry. W ood and his younger brother bought and operated one of the fanciest restaurants there at that time. However, following an extremely racial upheaval there, in which his business, along w ith countless others, was burned down, he moved to Kansas with his wife and three children. In Coffeyville, he united with the Macednoia Baptist Church, where he was crdained as a deacon and served 45 years as Chairman o f the deacon board. During the sixty years Wood lived in Coffeyville he made many out standing contributions: for in ad dition to his regular job he built a number o f houses, established a “ family farm garden,” selling his products at a very nominal fee, and often times giving to those who could not afford to pay, making free home repairs, soliciting clothing for those in need, setting up a free barber shop in his kitchen, teaching Sunday school, fo rm in g a men's weekly Bible class, and presiding over prayer meeting each Wednesday night, having missed only five times in 47 years. In spite o f only four years o f for mal education. Wood was without a doubt a highly educated, self-taught man; for he was a most avid reader, com pleting tw o or three books almost every week, and possessed the ability to discuss most any subject in telligently. He was certainly one who kept abreast o f all world conditions and affairs. He founded the Three “ C ’ s” Credit Union in C offeyville thirty years ago, one o f only two o f its kind in that part o f the country. It was through his efforts in this particular endeavor that many Blacks there got their start, both in the purchasing o f both homes and businesses; in ad dition to many students being af forded the o p p o rtu n ity to secure loans to further their education. Woods has traveled extensively throughout the country the past eight years going along to any and every place he desired. Only on a few oc casions did he even wear eyeglasses, and did not even have to walk with a cane. H aving moved to P ortland he joined Vancouver Avenue First Bap tist Church where he was a deacon. For the past few years on Father’s Day he received an award for being the oldest father there. He became a member o f two o f the Senior C iti zens units and was extremely active in many o f its phases, having worked there five days a week, worked in the “ out-reach” program, seeking and encouraging other elderly persons to become interested and involved. For months he took part o f his meager earnings to purchase coffee and sugar for the Piedmont Center, to make sure all participants could in his words, “ d rink coffee to their heart’ s content.” Some o f his jobs at the Center were to help or assist other senior citizens on and o ff the buses, seat them at the tables at lunch time, help deliver “ Meals on Wheels,” and to present programs. Often when there was no one else to participate, he w ould put on a program alone, singing and playing himself. Although his life was not always easy, and he very often received no thanks nor recognition, he never became discouraged to the extent he would cease to do good, as he con tinued to love everybody. He remained steadfast in his faith in both God and man, striving each day to live by the precepts and examples o f Christ. He taped dozens o f songs, with his little tape recorder in his hand, one could see him walking the streets o f P ortland m aking his way to the hospitals, rest homes and private homes to try to cheer and entertain the shut-in. Some o f Wood’ s hobbies were making doll furniture in his hobby shop, also bird houses and baths, pin cushions, sewing chairs, Christmas trees, ceramics and wood carvings. No, everyone did not love M r. Wood, no more than everyone loved Christ himself; but M r. Wood will not only live as a mere legend o f mankind, but without a doubt, he will always live somewhere within the hearts o f all those who knew him and whose very lives he touched as he was truly a “ modern day disciple.” M r. W ood is survived by six children: four daughters, Maxine Slaughter o f Salina, Kansas; Kathryn Jones o f M ilw aukee, W isconsin; M argaret W hite and M ary Jean Berry of Portland; two sons, William H a ro ld W ood o f P o rtla n d ; and George Wood, Jr., Springfield Gar dens, New York. American State Bank by Linda Thompson , "The Bank that integration built ” 2737 N.E. Union A beautiful smile adds beauty and charm to one’s profile and persona lity . To have beautiful and clean teeth is an added dimension. Our Black role model for this week Beverly Bizzel, is in the business o f giving that added dimension to our sm ile. She is presently a dental hygienist for Dr. Gerald Thomas. Dentist. An Aries and (believe it or not) a Portlander by birth, Beverly lives in a neatly decorated home in the city. A fte r graduatio n fro m Adams High School in 1971, she attended the University o f Southern C alifor nia for one and a half years, m ajor ing in Pre-med. In 1972, she returned to Portland and attended Portland State Univer sity changing her major to Dental Hygiene. As part o f the Dental Hy giene Program, Beverly spent her last tw o years at the U n iv e rs ity o f Oregon Medical School, where she graduated with a B.S. in Dental Hy giene. After graduation she worked one and a half years at Bess Kaiser Den tal Clinic two days per week and did volunteer work at the Russell Street Dental C linic fo r low-income per sons who can’ t a ffo rd dental in surance, dental care, etc. From Bess Kaiser she went to work on a part- time basis in her present position. She, however, became an employee o f the Russell Street Clinic where she did volunteer work. As a Dental Hygienist, Beverly is responsible for cleaning teeth, giving flo u rid e treatments, x-raying and giving oral hygiene instructions. The bachelorette. Ms. Bizzel, says everything is her hobby, however tennis, skiing, playing racketball, dancing and enjoying art seems to take up most o f her spare time. Beverly accredits much o f her suc cess to the support o f her mother, Eva Draughu, who stood by her during her educational career both financially and morally. She feels that personal initiative is very important. For those who want to succeed in any profession, she has 282-2216 ✓ » We guarantee tomorrow today. I Life, H ealth, G roup, and Business Insurance i JOHN R. PARIS TOO NE Multnomah. Lloyd 700 Blda #400 Portland O R «723? 231-4724 BEVERLY BIZZEL this to say: “ Find out what you are interested in, talk to as many people as possible regarding the various occupations available. Look into what financial assistance is available to assist you financially. After you choose a profession, you must discipline yourself. It is not necessary to give up your social life completely. However, it is very im portant that you discipline your time and energy in order to meet your goals. One must realize that there are some sacrifices one must make. As a responsible person you are the only one who can determine what and where sacrifices are to be made. The end result w ill be rewarding.” As my interview w ith the only Black dental hygienist in Portland ended, Beverly paused, stroked her cat "M axine” and stated: “ 1 feel it is very important to be emotionally in dependent. While preparing for any profession, choose a mate that will allow you to progress with little or no static. There are many doors open for many types o f successful careers. Choose one and discipline yourself. Success w ill fo llo w .” U n til next week remember — Ugliness is not a physical charac teristic. It is the way you treat your fellowman. "The PRODUCE CENTER of PORTLAND' ASPARAGUS LOCAL Tint at the lb. ba. gram, some persons w ill be asked to volunteer. Such persons w ill receive special instructions from Reverend Smartt in three one-hour sessions. The rewards for enlisting in this im portant aspect o f evangelism are very beneficial both to the visitor and the local church. From May 3rd-23rd, the Reverend W illiam G. Smartt o f the Office o f Finance and Field Service o f the Board o f G lobal M in is trie s w ill preach twice and train volunteer visi tors. This w ill mark the first phase of a new beginning fo r Hughes Memorial. D uring the tenures o f this pro- 59 CRANNY SMITH • ARTICHOKES EMPEROR GRAPES “ ....a . M I‘ J !9‘ 0 RANI ; es LEMONS sentatives are: Bill Bartleson, Com munity Representative #1; Joe Sat- chell, Community Representative *3. North Community Action Council is a non-profit limited purpose agency providing services to low-income re sidents o f N o rth and N orthw est P o rtla n d , under the auspices o f the C om m unity Services A d m in i s tra tio n . M eetings o f the Board o f D irectors are held on the last Monday o f each month and are open to the public. Rev Smartt teaches volunteers lb. LARGE SIZE NCAC elects board members Ten new board members have been elected to serve on the North Community Action Council’s Board o f Directors. The eight area representatives o f the poor are: Melvin Lester, Kenton #1; Deborah Bagley, Overlook #1; George Peterson, Portsmouth #1; Rose A lb e rt, St. Johns #1; Fred C h a tfie ld , L in n to n #1; Darlene Monroe, Linnton 42; Mark Story, Northwest 41; Michael Stoops, North west #2. The two community repre- »1195 A = 29‘ ■5¡$'r CALIF. HAVEL CHEDDAR CHEESE S 2 A. M mh ZL AT W HTUMI4MILY K T ALMADEN WINE • IN PNGS. sf 10 Ibi. eg mers • lm > M»« te » L beats se. MAM 39 MJOe. J UM L arg a, M e a ty SMOKED GROUND BEEF (tre ea d Chert Quality) t in o • Ml. Okie. • » e l e l e . • Ckeklli • Bergeady FRESH, LEAN (75% Lean) « xW L SHANKS lb. I PRICES GOOD THRU SAT., MAY 5, 1979. J t SHERIDAN FRUIT Co. U N IO N & OAK 2 3 5 -9 3 5 3 ALLEN TE M P LE C M E C H U R C H H U G H E S M E M O R IA L U N IT E D M E T H O D IS T C H U R C H Corner of 8th and Skidmore Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00a.m. Christian Youth Fellowship 6:00 p.m. (Second and Fourth Sundays) Reverend Thomas L. Strayhand. Minister REV AUSTIN V. RAY. MINISTER 111 N.E. FA ILIN G Diei A Prayer 284 0684 Worship 11:00 a. m Church School 9 46 a.m Off tea 281 2332 Speciations In Individual * Marriage and T amity • Group Therapy "Tha Church Where No Stranger Feels Strange" ST. A N D R E W S C A T H O L IC C H U R C H 806 N.E. Alberta Street Reverend Bertram Griffin, Paetor 281 4429 Masses 5:00 p.m Vigil — Saturday 10:00a.m Choir — Sunday 12:00 p.m Folk - Sunday ST. A N D R E W C O M M U N IT Y SC H O O L Phone 284 1620 Grades 1 through 8 4919 N E 9th Ave Nonta Kelly. Principal You are Welcome to Worship at NEW HOPE M IS S IO N A R Y B A P T IS T C H U R C H REVEREND A. BERNARD DEVERS, PASTOR THE CHURCH DESIGNED TO MEET YOUR NEED Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Morning Worship Evening Service 2nd. 4th end 5th Sundays Communion 1st Sunday Wed — Family Prayer Meeting and Bible Study Friday Brotherhood Fellowship Service with Morning Ster 3rd Sunday 10:30 a m 7:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Prayer and Pastor Phone 281 6476 Church Phone 2814163 3725 N. G antenbein A venue. P o rtlan d , O regon 97227 THE A R K OF SAFETY C H U R C H OF G O D IN C H R IS T ‘ A warm spirit o f fellowship always” The Honorable Bishop U.V. Peterson, D.D. “ The Holiness Preacher,” Pastor Sunday Sunday School Morning Worship 9:16 am 11:16 am "Showers of Blessings Broadcast" KGAR 1660 11 30 am 12:30 pm YPBC 6:30 pm Evangelistic Worship 8 00 pm Tuesday Friday Noon Oay Prayer Tuesday Bible B and/Jr Church Wednesday Chou Rehearsal Friday The Pastoi S peaks' 84 NE Killingtwurth 281 0499 7:30 pm 7:00 pm 7 30 pm
