Katherine Key Wood, age 73, of King Street, Clifton Forge, Virginia, was called by her Lord and Savior on Thursday, February 23, 2012 after a massive stroke overcame her at her home after waking up from a nap on Monday, February 20, 2012.

Katherine was born a beautiful baby girl to her late parents, George Claytor Key and Veta Martin Key and her late older brother, George Claytor Key, Jr. on July 11, 1938 in Clifton Forge, Virginia.

Katherine was raised on Rose Street with her brother and mother and attended the public schools of Clifton Forge. She graduated from Clifton Forge High School in 1956 and graduated from Longwood College in 1960 with a degree in Teaching Home Economics.

She experienced the city life of Richmond, Virginia for one year to teach before marrying her high school sweetheart, Joseph "Joe" Wood on July 7, 1962 in their hometown church, the Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church.

Their first born son, Joseph Henry Wood, Jr., was born nine months later followed by three more children. Katherine and Joe raised their family of four children in their home they built in 1976 on Forest Hills.

Katherine was a retired elementary teacher with the Alleghany Highlands School System and was a lifelong member of the Clifton Forge Presbyterian Church. She was a member of the Clifton Forge Women's Club. Throughout her life, she enjoyed singing in the church choir, playing bridge, traveling and shopping.

Katherine was most happy being with her pets - Whiskers and Midnight, tending to her gardens, feeding the birds and gazing over the mountains.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 49 years, Joseph "Joe" Henry Wood, Sr.; three sons, Joseph Henry Wood, Jr. and his wife, Rhonda Dunbar Wood of Fincastle, VA, George "Marty" Martin Wood and his wife, Heather Smith Wood of Clifton Forge, and David Clay Wood of Boulder, Colorado; a daughter, Susan Katherine Wood of Richmond, Virginia; grandsons, Austin Aaron Wood and Henry Alan Wood; great grandson, Skyler Aaron Wood.

A memorial service will be conducted Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, with Reverend Paul Brokaw officiating. Interment will be private. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 12:30 p.m. until time of service at Nicely Funeral Home. The family wishes to thank Roanoke Memorial Hospital, the Clifton Forge Rescue Squad, the team at Alleghany Regional Hospital and her friends of Clifton Forge for their love and support.

As Mom would say: "I guess I was wrong. I thought I was going to live to be 100."

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, Virginia, is handling the arrangements.