James Rayford Wood, Jr.

Mr. James Rayford Wood, Jr., 48, of Clairmont Avenue, Elberton, husband of 30 years to Rita June Abbott Wood, passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2014, at Athens Regional Medical Center. Mr. Wood was born in Royston on December 11, 1965, to James Rayford Wood, Sr. of Long Creek, South Carolina and Shirley Elizabeth Maxwell of Elberton. He attended Oak Bower Baptist Church, was a stone cutter having previously worked for Burton Monument Company, and was the owner/operator of James's Minor Home Repairs. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. In addition to his parents and wife, he is survived by his children: James Rayford Wood, III and his wife Crystal of Hartwell, Samantha J. House and her husband Chris of Dewy Rose, Matthew Royce Wood and his wife Carolyn of Bowman, and Kyle Thomas Wood and his wife Autumn of Cheyenne, Wyoming; grandchildren: Laila, Connor, Kolten, Brayden, Karson, and one on the way, Baylor; sisters: Christine Blackerby and her husband Will, Jennifer Jones, Cathy Aragon and her husband Henry, and Kenya Alvarez, all of Texas; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends, He is preceded in death by brother-in-law, David Jones. Funeral services celebrating his life will be held on Saturday, April, 26, at 1:00p.m. in the Memorial Chapel of Berry Funeral Home with the Revs. Tommy Cleveland and David McConnell officiating. Interment will follow in Elmhurst Cemetery with Justin Slay, Dustin Carruth, James "Luda" Skelton, Rambo Kersey, Brad Burton, and Blake Burton honored as pallbearers. The family is at the residence of Billy and Mary House, 1803 Bowman Highway, and will receive friends at Berry Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00p.m. on Friday evening. Flowers are optional; contributions may be made to Berry Funeral Home to help offset funeral expenses. Share your stories and photos in Mr. Wood's Book of Memories at www.berryfh.com. Berry Funeral Home & Crematory, Elberton, is respectfully in charge of arrangements for Mr. James Rayford Wood, Jr.