Emma Jean Lott Wood went home to be with the Lord and be reunited with her husband on Tuesday, March 26, 2019, at Troy Regional Medical Center. 

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. in Green Hills Memorial Park Cemetery with Reverend Chad Teal and Reverend J. Craig Holmes officiating.

She was the oldest child of the late Horace and Rosa Johnson Lott born on Wednesday, June 10, 1931, at home on her grandfather’s farm in the County Line community near Henderson, Alabama. She grew up and attended school in Montgomery, Troy, and surrounding areas. She was a board-certified histologist and a Master Gardener. Emma-Jean was a strong willed, talented, creative country girl. Gifted with artistry, she cooked with a flair. She would choose just the right carrot to make ribbons, the perfect radish to carve a flower, or the best melon to create a basket. It did not matter if it was a small dinner party or a big wedding, she would make it beautiful and unique.  Her husband, James, often remarked, “My wife can take nothing and make it something beautiful.” Emma Jean had a green thumb and loved to dig in the dirt. Together they created Wood’s Hide-Away Daylily Garden. After collecting and planting over two thousand different varieties and doing some cross pollination themselves, their little piece of heaven was open to the public. This earned her the title “Daylily Lady.”

She was always active in her community and church. Over the years, she taught Sunday School, served on the official board, was a MYF leader, and worked with preschool through senior adults. She had a listening ear and a heart to serve. Her kids in the bus ministry loved her for that trait. She wore many hats, but wife and mother were number one on her list. Whatever her husband or son were involved in is where you would find her whether it be as a room mother, den mother, PTA member, band booster, little league mom or boat driver. No one who knew her had any doubt of her love for Christ or her family.

As a young girl, Emma Jean dreamed of meeting Mr. Right, falling in love, and marrying him. She dreamed of having one son, giving him his father’s name, and living happily ever after. She envisioned their son sitting on the back of a high-stepping Tennessee Walking Horse while riding along with his Collie dog following. Emma Jean got to live her dream. She had a storybook love affair with the love of her life for 70 years. Their son, James III, had a registered five-gated Tennessee Walking Horse and a Collie dog. She often remarked “We have heaven on Earth.”  Added joy came with the birth of grandchildren which she loved and spoiled every chance she got.

She will be missed, but we all like to think of her dancing for joy with her James in the presence of the Lord. She was preceded in death by her husband, James F. Wood Jr.; brother, Jerry Lott; and sister, Betty Jo Lott Jones.  She leaves behind son, James F. Wood, III and his fiancé (Sheri Hearn); granddaughters, Hope Daniell (Todd), Shelley Harlow (Brad), and Kaysen Hearn; great-granddaughter, Madalyn Grace Daniell; brothers, Irvin (Betty Jo) Lott and Calvin (Sharon) Lott; numerous nieces, nephews, family and friends.

Donations may be made to Compassus Hospice or God’s Way Baptist Church.

The staff of Green Hills Funeral Home is honored to serve the Wood family.