Jewel Wood, Widow of Former General Superintendent George O. Wood, Passes
Born Nov. 11, 1938, in Greenville, Alabama, to Gemini Waite and Dorothy McQueen Waite, Jewel had two younger identical-twin sisters, Dorothy “Dot” (McHaffie) and Gemina “Jimmie” (Swanner). Her mom died December 1940 when Jewel was 2 years old and the twins were 2 weeks old.
Jewel’s father was a Pentecostal lay preacher and worship leader. Music was seen as an important part of ministry, so he taught his daughters to play musical instruments — Jewel learned to play the piano, organ, and accordion.
Following high school, Jewel attended Southeastern Bible College (now University) in Lakeland, Florida. She graduated from Southeastern with a Bible college degree, and then enrolled in Evangel College (now University) in Springfield, Missouri, and that’s where she first met George O. Wood. She completed her bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1964 and moved to teach at the school of First Assembly of God in Mobile, Alabama.
George, who obtained a doctorate and returned to Evangel as a faculty member/campus pastor in 1965, reconnected with Jewel.
“Our first date was Oct. 16, 1965,” he was quoted as saying during a 2017 ceremony at Evangel University honoring him and Jewel. “I asked her to marry me on Oct. 30, and we were married on Dec. 27 — all in 1965!”
The young couple was soon blessed with their first child, Evangeline, in November 1966, with George P. arriving in May 1969. In December 1970, the young family relocated to California when George became pastor of Newport-Mesa Christian Center (NMCC, now Mesa Church) in Costa Mesa.
At NMCC, Jewel founded the Early Childhood Center, which pioneered modern standards of cleanliness and training for infants, toddlers, and pre-K kids. She also played piano and/or organ in the worship service. During much of the 1980s, she served the community as a substitute public school teacher.
“For 18 years Jewel faithfully served at NMCC in ministry, quietly touching countless lives within the church family,” says Wayne Tesch, co-founder of Royal Family KIDS, Inc. and former senior associate pastor at NMCC. “She had a special love for the youngest among us, championing in the nursery and tenderly caring for the children in the Early Childhood Center. Her gentle spirit and servant’s heart made every child feel valued and safe.”
Jewel stopped substitute teaching in 1988 after George became assistant superintendent of the Southern California District Council (now SoCal Network). However, she often led shopping tours for pastors’ wives both then and when the couple moved to Springfield, Missouri, when George began serving as the Assemblies of God general secretary in 1993.
"Jewel served the Assemblies of God Fellowship in many ways, all the way from supervising a local church nursery to traveling globally with her husband in his role as general superintendent (2007-2017),” states Jim Bradford, senior pastor of Central Assembly of God in Springfield, Missouri, and former AG general secretary under George O. Wood. “She sang faithfully in the choir at Central Assembly, where her future husband first noticed her, and always took an active interest in whatever church she was a part of. I always admired her energy and sincerity. She loved Jesus, His work, and her family with all her heart."
Joyce Bridges, widow of former General Treasurer James K. Bridges who served alongside George O. Wood for 14 years at the AG National Office, recalls Jewel Wood with great fondness.
“She was one of the first to welcome me when we moved to Springfield,” Joyce recalls. “Jewel’s life was a testament to her strong faith, which was a cornerstone of her life. In addition, her deep love of family was most evident. She was entirely devoted to her dear George, the love of her life, as well as her children. And, of course, anyone who knew Jewel knew she was devoted to her pets.”
“Jewel loved to sing and I loved to sit by her and hear her sweet voice. Her love of God through music still echoes in my heart,” Joyce continues. “She lived purposely and leaves a legacy for us to follow. I consider it a real joy to have been her friend.”
Although rarely in the public limelight, Jewel travelled extensively with George during his 24 years as an executive at the AG National Office.
“She loved going to Israel with Dad, who frequently led ministry tours there,” says Jewel and George’s son, George P. Wood. “She became famous for helping the ladies find great deals on souvenirs, clothing, and all kinds of whatnot — she really enjoyed helping turn good experiences into great ones.”
T. Ray and Judy Rachels recall meeting Jewel when she was a college freshman.
“Judy and I were incoming freshmen at Southeastern Bible College when we first met Jewel (Waite) Wood, whose Southern roots were similar to ours,” recalls Ray, the former superintendent of the AG SoCal Network and executive presbyter. “Her wonderful gifts of music and academia pushed her forward — she was a significant part of all the musical programs of the school.
“Moving then to Evangel, Jewel found her life partner, George O. Wood,” Ray continues. “George later led the Assemblies of God as its general superintendent, with Jewel by his side through the years. We remember Jewel as a faithful friend, whose strong-minded focus on her family and her work in ministry was a model for us all!”
And according to those close to her, Jewel not only cared deeply for her family, but she also developed a great love for her pets, as she “parented” five dogs and five cats. Jewel’s love for animals and their antics became fodder in a number of George’s National Office chapel addresses — including a few times George successfully inquiring of AG National Office staff about adopting kittens.
“Mom was a force of nature when it came to protecting and defending those in need,” Evangeline Wood Zorehkey says, “whether it was a person who was hurting or a wounded animal, there were no boundaries as to what she would do for them.”
Jewel was preceded in death by George, her husband of 56 years, in January 2022, as well as her two sisters, Dot and Jimmie. She is survived by her daughter, Evangeline Wood Zorehkey (husband Rick and children Jacob, Alaysha, and Skyler), and her son, George P. Wood (wife Tiffany, children Reese, Cynthia, and Allison).
Visitation and memorial service will be held on Monday, March 30, at Central Assembly of God in Springfield, Missouri. Visitation will begin at 12 p.m. with the service beginning at 1:30 p.m. The family requests that in lieu of flower to please consider a donation in Jewel’s name to Convoy of Hope.