Aurelia Drake Wood

Aurelia Wood, born July 16, 1951, and passed away peacefully on January 21, 2026. The daughter of the late John and Anne Drake. She was a long-time member of Tuckston United Methodist Church where she volunteered and worked in children's ministry and was a member of the Becomers Sunday school class. Aurelia was Director of children's ministry at Monroe First United Methodist Church for several years.

A 1969 graduate of Roswell High School, she went on to earn degrees from Young Harris College and the University of Georgia focusing on Early Childhood Development. She taught at the University of Georgia, substituted at Winterville Elementary School, and was a program assistant with Clarke County 4-H. Aurelia was a member in good standing of the Elijah Clarke Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Aurelia met her husband of fifty-one years, Jim Wood, when they were students at Young Harris College. She is survived by Jim, her sons Michael and Charles "Chuck" Wood (Bonnie), grandsons Charley and Owen Wood, sister Becky Carlson (David) and Sidney Drake (Jeri) along with many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Aurelia was a smart, witty, enthusiastic, and industrious woman with an amazing capacity to express a sense of wonder as she traveled through life. She was a compassionate caregiver to her mother-in-law and her parents.

A visitation will take place on February 1, 2026, beginning at 1:00 PM followed by a memorial service and celebration of her life at 3:00 PM at Lord & Stephens Funeral Home East Chapel at 4355 Lexington Rd., Athens, GA. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia.

The family wishes to thank the staff at the Legacy Village of Athens and Bridgeway Hospice for their compassionate care during her final days.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, East, Athens, Georgia is in charge of arrangements. www.lordandstephens.com