Audra Marie Wood, 98, Osceola, died February 13, 2003, at her daughter's home in Neosho, after a lengthy illness. Audra was born February 23, 1904, to George Warren and Alta (Hammonds) Warren near Iconium. With the exception of three years in Lafayette County, she lived her lifetime in St. Clair County in the vicinity of Iconium. In 1940 Audra declared her faith in Christ and become a member of Goshen Primitive Baptist Church at Harper, and was baptized in Hogles Creek neaby. She married Joe Wood December 4, 1919, at the Commercial Hotel in Osceola and three children were born from this union. Her husband preceded her in death July 18, 1980, and a son-in-law, Loren Mitchell, March 18, 2002. She is survived by all of her children, Jean Sheldon and husband, Charles, Osceola, Elaine Mitchell of Neosho, Jack Wood and wife, Maxine, Osceola. She has eight grandchildren and 21 great and great-great-grandchildren. Precious are the memories of our dear mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend! Because she had trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Savior, He manifested His love through her life. She was nurturing and caring, always having time to listen and asking questions revealing her genuine concern for others. She never failed to show her gratefulness when others met her needs. Not only was this demonstrated through her words but also through her weekly handwritten notes and letters. We were all made to feel very special and unique because there was always enough love to go around. How often we remember her saying, "Honey, we just need to love each other!" She was known as a person who looked for the good in people. She did not hold grudges nor speak unkindly. You could trace the laugh lines in her face because of the joy she found in life, whether it be helping to meet the needs of her husband, children and grandchildren or the loving work of her hands through home-made canned goods and the hundreds of beautiful hand-pieced quilts she made. All the wonderful character traits of her life were only possible because she allowed the Lord to live through her. This was particularly evident in the last years and weeks of her life when her Godly spirit was what sustained her through her infirmities. We have all been greatly impacted by her life. May we take her legacy so that we, too, can make a difference in the world we live in! Funeral services were Sunday, February 16, 2 p.m., at Sheldon-Goodrich Chapel with Elder Bill Wood and Rev. Dan Dellinger officiating. Candi Baker sang "I'll Help You Stand" and Nathan and Chiree Bollinger sang "In His Presence". Pallbearers were her grand-sons. Burial was in Iconium Cemetery. "God's greatest gift returned to God--our mother." --Jean, Elaine & Jack. (THE CLINTON DAILY DEMOCRAT, Friday, February 21, 2003)