Paul B. Wood

Dr. Paul B. Wood, 88, passed away peacefully at the Cottingham House on August 4, 2018.

Born on March 29, 1930, in Macon, GA, Dr. Wood grew up in Gastonia, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. and Mrs. J.A. Wood, and five older siblings.

Paul Wood was a graduate of Central Wesleyan Methodist Junior College, Guildford College and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he received his PhD in clinical psychology. In 1962, Dr. Wood joined the faculty at Central Wesleyan College, now Southern Wesleyan University, where he spent his entire career, retiring as Faculty Emeritus. In addition to leading the Psychology Department, he served as the first Dean of Students at the college, and later, as Academic Dean, he led the effort to secure the college's first regional accreditation as a four-year liberal arts institution. For years he co-directed a study abroad program for students in England with his dear friends and colleagues Jim and Barbara Bross. Dr. Wood was dedicated to the Wesleyan Church. In 1964, he began what would be more than thirty years of service as a psychological consultant to the Department of Wesleyan World Missions. Over the years, he traveled extensively to visit and support those working in the church's mission fields. He served as the Director of the Wesleyan Medical Fellowship for eight years, as a delegate to the General Conference of the Wesleyan Church on several occasions, and on the General Board of Administration of the church for eight years. He taught the same Sunday school class at First Wesleyan Church in Central (now Alive Wesleyan) for more than 50 years.

Dr. Wood was dedicated to his community. At one time, he served as president of the SC Mental Health Association, and for a number of years he chaired the 13th Judicial Circuit Court Foster Care Review Board. He worked for many years as a consulting psychologist to the schools of Pickens County, and after retiring from SWU, he worked full time for the school district until his retirement in 1997. Long after that, he maintained an office on the campus of SWU and continued to see clients and people in need for as long as he was able.

And Dr. Wood was dedicated to his family. He leaves behind his loving wife of 65 years, Christine Brown Wood, who was his partner in the truest sense of the word. He is survived by three children: Shauna Jones (Charlie) of Simpsonville, SC; Katie Wood Ray (Jim) of Waynesville, NC; and Andrew Wood (Kellyn) of Clemson, SC. Four grandchildren: Eric Jones, Hannah Sandberg (Kurtis), AJ Wood, and Beckham Wood, and one great-granddaughter, Mary Olivia Sandberg. He also has many nieces, nephews, and former students who think of him like a father, often referring to him affectionately as PB.

His was a life of service, which he lived to the fullest.

Memorial services will be 11:30 AM, Wednesday, August 8, 2018 in Newton Hobson Fine Arts Center on the campus of SWU.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM to 11:15 AM, Wednesday prior to the service at the Center.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the P.B. Wood Scholarship Fund at Southern Wesleyan University, or to Hospice of the Foothills.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central, SC.