Betty Jean Wood

Betty Jean Wilkerson Wood, of Lilburn, Georgia, passed away peacefully at the home of her daughter in Martin, Georgia, on July 30, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Born on December 23, 1932, in Snellville, Georgia, Betty was the daughter of the late Carl Wilkerson and Lessa Ewing Wilkerson. She retired from Scientific Atlanta, where she served as a Sales Manager for many years. Betty was a faithful member of Tucker Presbyterian Church and was devoted to her faith, family, and friends throughout her life.

Betty was known for her unwavering love and compassion for her family. She was a hardworking woman whose work ethic and wisdom made her a wonderful mentor to those around her. She treasured every opportunity to attend her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren's sporting events and performances and was always their biggest supporter. An avid sports fan, she faithfully cheered on the Atlanta Braves and the Georgia Bulldogs in both baseball and football.

She took great pride in her appearance and was rarely seen without being beautifully dressed with matching accessories whenever she went out. Betty was an amazing cook whose meals brought family together around the table. She loved spending time outdoors, especially watching and feeding birds and tending to her flowers. She had a special compassion for animals, particularly dogs, and had a tender heart for stray and abandoned animals. Betty also enjoyed shopping and spending time with those she loved most.

In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James Donald Wood; and her siblings, Claude Wilkerson, C.W. Wilkerson, Catherine Wilkerson, "Shorty" Wilkerson, Dixie Mobley, and Louie Wilkerson.

She is survived by her children, Vickie (Richard) Ivey of Eatonton, Georgia; Becky (Cliff) Chappell of Martin, Georgia; and Mike (Peggy) Wood of Anderson, South Carolina. She also leaves behind her cherished grandchildren, Carey Ivey and Bryan Ivey, both of Eatonton, Georgia; Jenny (Eric) Hill of Carnesville, Georgia; Jason Chappell of Fair Play, South Carolina; Brittany (Britt) Boleman of Greenville, South Carolina; and Scott (Carmen) Wood of Rome, Georgia.

Betty was also blessed with nine great-grandchildren: Sunny Hill, Quinn Chappell, Tyler Boleman, Carson Boleman, Sawyer Boleman, Landree Boleman, Huxley Wood, Hixon Wood, and Hendrix Wood. She is further survived by her sister, Connie Knight, along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Ginn Funeral Home with Pastor Joey Stewart officiating. Graveside services will follow at White Chapel Memorial Gardens in Gwinnett County at 4:30 p.m.

The family will receive friends at Ginn Funeral Home on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., prior to the funeral service.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter in honor of Betty's lifelong love and compassion for animals, especially stray and abandoned dogs.