Virginia Louise Wood

Virginia Wood, 84, of Sedalia, MO, passed away Friday, February 22nd at Bothwell Regional Health Center with family by her side.

Virginia was born February 10, 1935 in Milwaukee, WI, the 4th child of James Frost Waddell, Jr. & Irene Elaine Straka Waddell. She started her schooling in Milwaukee at St. Sebastian Catholic School. Most summers were spent in central Missouri at the family cabin of her paternal grandparents, James Frost Waddell, Sr. and Louie Randolph Cotton Waddell, along with her mother and siblings. There they learned to appreciate nature, live alongside wildlife, and enjoy swimming in the lake. When Virginia was 13 years old the family moved to Versailles, MO where she attended Black Jack Elementary in 8th grade and then Versailles High School.

Virginia was married and divorced twice, first to Bob Blackwell of Marshall, MO and later to Donald Wood from the Versailles area. No children ensued from either marriage. Virginia spent some time working as a nanny and also babysat for her nieces and nephews who lived in mid-Missouri. She was a big animal lover, especially of several beloved canine companions throughout her life. Chows were her favorite breed. Virginia enjoyed getting together with family for holiday dinners and outings. She had a good sense of humor and always appreciated joking with people. She will be remembered fondly by family and friends.

Virginia was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and attended Mass weekly until her health declined. She suffered a stroke in 2011 and moved to Four Seasons Living Center where she resided until shortly before her death.

Virginia was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, John Thomas Waddell; niece, Barbara Jane Waddell Mosier; close family friend, Sr. Ana Priester, BVM; brother, James Richard Waddell and his wife Frances Bryant Waddell (Frankie); and sister-in-law, Edith Marie Berry Waddell.

She is survived by her siblings, Sr. Mary Elaine Waddell, BVM, Lancaster, CA; Frances Irene Waddell (Phil) Hunkins, Fairfield Bay, AR; George Peter Waddell, Morganton, NC; former sisters-in-law, Shirley Manning Price, Clinton, MO and Jessie DiGiuseppe Waddell, Tucson, AZ; twelve nieces and nephews: Teresa Antoinette Waddell Wik, Katherine Mary Waddell, James John Waddell, Margaret Ann Waddell, John Jouett Waddell, Rebecca Lynn Waddell (Kyle) Grant, Robert Dustin (Kathy) Hunkins, Christopher Frost (Piper) Hunkins, Gordon Pierre (Cheree) Waddell, Emma Marie Waddell (Leo) Watson, Geoffrey Pierce (Samantha) Waddell, Mary Esther Waddell (Chad) Smith, and 24 great-nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 10:00 a.m. Monday, March 11, 2019 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Sedalia.

Inurnment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Sedalia, MO. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Sedalia Animal Shelter.

Cremation arrangements under the direction of Rea Funeral Chapel, Sedalia.