Lee O. Wood

GREENSBORO, NC - Mr. Lee O. Wood, age 84, departed this earthly life on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at Beacon Place in Greensboro, NC.

A viewing will begin on Thursday, August 27, 2026 from 1 until 5 p.m. at McLaurin-Harris Memorial Chapel, 721 East Morehead Street, Reidsville, NC.

A viewing will also be held on Friday, August 28, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Harwood Home for Funerals, 208 W. State Street, Black Mountain, NC.

The interment will follow at 2 p.m. in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 962 Old US Hwy 70, Black Mountain, NC. Military Honors will be performed by United States Air Force Honor Guard.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making donations to Alzheimer's Association in memory of Lee O. Wood.

Mr. Lee O. Wood departed this earthly life peacefully on Thursday, August 20, 2026, in Greensboro, NC. Lee Otis Wood was born on September 5, 1941, in Asheville, NC. He was raised by his grandmother, Carrie Avery Kennedy, whom he referred to affectionately throughout his life until the loving end.

He would tell you that he was just a country boy from the Great Smoky Mountains in Western North Carolina, Black Mountain/Asheville; with a dream, as a young boy, of being a Funeral Director. Lee’s desire to become an ‘Undertaker’ started around the age of 6 when he would have funerals for any bug/animal that died and encourage his siblings, cousins, and friends to assist and support him with the service and burial. Lee began his journey to become a Funeral Director on June 6, 1959, when he graduated from Stephens Lee High School in Asheville and boarded the 4:16 p.m. train headed to New York to fulfill his dreams.

Lee spent 3.5 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he was stationed in Germany as an electrician on high voltage generators. During this time, Lee took advantage of opportunities to travel across Europe as he had dreamed of doing one day. Upon returning to Mount Vernon, NY, he worked at Con-Edison, as a high voltage troubleshooter, prior to using his GI Bill (funds) to attend American Academy McAllister Institute for Mortuary Science (AAMI). Lee graduated from AAMI, March 20, 1969, the same day that his beloved son, Todd Terrell was born (a truly happy and memorable day for him).

Lee O. Wood was a Licensed Funeral Director/Owner for over fifty-five years. His commitment and love of the funeral service business and people enabled him to continuously provide warmth and outstanding services to families. Lee did his apprenticeship at The Chapman Funeral Home in Mount Vernon and worked at Benta Funeral Home in Harlem, NY for a short period prior to opening Camelot Funeral Home and then opening Lee O. Wood Funeral Home in Mount Vernon, NY where he serviced the community for nearly 50 years. He supported and encouraged many young people with their pursuits in the field of Mortuary Science. He believed in hard work and education and was known for telling young people to “get some info under their afros so they could go”. As a business owner in Mount Vernon/Westchester County, Lee participated in the Rotary Club; was a Democratic Party District Leader; active with Pop Warner Sports activity and a frequent speaker in schools, churches and other organizations.Lee loved golf. Many frequented his golf room on the second floor of the funeral home to check out his clubs and bags and the many sharp knicker outfits which he had in every color! Lee was an active member of the National Negro Golf Association (NNGA) for over 25 years. Left to survive and cherish his memory are his loving wife, Mrs. Phyllis McCarley Wood; son, Todd (Cortney); granddaughter, Phoebe; uncle, Howard Kennedy; brother, Clifford; sisters Lydia and Cynthia; many cousins, other relatives, friends, colleagues and golfers.

…And the Beat Goes On!

Service by McLaurin-Harris