Emma J. Wood's Obituary
Emma Jean Goines Wood, 78, passed away Sunday, December 21, 2025, at her home with her husband and family. She was born on April 11, 1947, in Hillsboro Alabama, to parents Richard Goines Sr. and Everlina Reed. She moved with her mother and brother, Richard Goines, Jr. to Chattanooga, Tennessee at an early age, where their mother married Will R. Goodlow.
Emma was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and she and her husband were baptized on the same day. She was a 1965 graduate of Howard High School and was employed for 37 years with the Hamilton County School System in the Administrative Department and the Child Nutrition Department.
Emma was a quiet, soft-spoken, but very approachable person; someone you wouldn’t know was in the room. But once you got to know her, you would not forget her. A woman of few words, but when she spoke, her words were meaningful and appropriate. Her husband often remarked that with her demeanor he couldn't believe she participated in the door-to-door ministry. But she did and found joy in it. Also, among her joy for Jehovah and the ministry was family. She deeply loved family togetherness and insisted that love and family gatherings continue to exist between her children even after her departure. She also deeply loved her husband. She had deep reverence for her marriage vows to honor and respect, for better or worse. Also, not to be left out, she loved a good cold glass of sweet tea.
Due to the nature of Emma’ illness and medical treatment, it was unknown if she would be able to leave a medical facility. But with deep prayer to Jehovah by her husband and children a window was opened where she could be taken home to spend her last days being hugged, kissed, and loved by her family members and loved ones.
Emma is preceded in death by her mother, Everlina; father, Richard Goines, Sr.; stepfather, Will R. Goodlow; and brother, Robert Goodlow.
She is survived by her loving husband of 52 years, Franklin; sons, Vincent Goines, Christopher Goines, Franklin Jermaine Wood, and Adrian (Soni) Wood; daughter, Kimberly Goines; adopted son, Franklin Jermaine “Jay” (Angelica) Wood, Jr.; brother, Richard (Alice) Goines, Jr.; her grandchildren whom she loved and adored, Kelcey (Joe) Myricks, Merci Wood, Unity Wood, Kalena (Nathen) Vanbuskirk, Christal Goines, Jada Wood, Trinity Goines, and Antonio Wood; her great-grandchildren, Ariah Porter, Kalen Myricks, Jade Myricks, Ryze Wood, Kannon Myricks, Graycen Draper, Vanessa Vanbuskirk, and Raiden Wood; her brothers-in-law, James and Emory Wood; sisters-in-law, Deborah Brewster and Victoria Suttles; her niece and nephews, Richelle White, Ricky Goines, Lebron Johnson, Dewayne Brewster, and DJ Brewster; cousins, Walter Hamilton and Clara Mae Henderson. She is also survived by her fellow Witness and best friend of 55 years, Alice Cameron.
Emma’s strength and love will live on in her children and her grandchildren. She was a beacon of love and light that will always remain in our hearts.
Emma will lie-in-state on Monday, January 5, 2026 from 12:30-5:00 p.m. at Taylor Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at 12 noon in the Chapel. Burial in Chattanooga National Cemetery.
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