Sarafrances S. Wood

Sarafrances Wood Obituary Sarafrances Jane Steele Wood passed away peacefully on June 16, 2022. She was 101 years old, just a month before her 102nd birthday. She was the adored wife of the late Judge W. Fillmore Wood, Sr. She was the beloved mother of W Fillmore Wood, Jr. (Sharon) of Corona del Mar, California, and the Rev. Dr. Bertrice Y. Wood of Sagamore Hills Ohio. She extended her family by hosting ,in 1967-1968, Plainfield (NJ) High School’s exchange student, Dagmar Schaefter Junck (Klaus) of Berlin, Germany. After living in Plainfield, New Jersey, for 52 years and raising her family there, Sarafrances moved to Sagamore Hills to be closer to her daughter. At the time of her death, she was a resident of the Independent Living section of the Atrium in Aurora, Ohio. Sarafrances was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on July 24, 1920, the 4th daughter of Charles and Maetta Bryant Steele. The first daughter died at birth. Her 2 other sisters, Regina and Ernestine, were 9 and 11 years older respectively, and in her words: “did everything to assist our parents in making their baby sister a happy child.” She received her early education in the St. Louis public schools, her Bachelors of Education from the Harris Stowe Teacher’s College (as 1st Ranking Student) and her Master’s in Education from Washington University (St. Louis) and took courses toward her doctorate in education. She taught first in the St. Louis schools, then for 30 years in the Plainfield, NJ, Public Schools and was proud of her successful and fulfilling professional life as an educator and mentor. She met Sargent William Fillmore Wood (a graduate of Columbia University College and Law School) on February 14, 1944, at a Valentine’s Day party for soldiers, while he was stationed near St. Louis during the Second World War. They married later that year. Following the War they moved to Plainfield, New Jersey, where Fillmore returned to his job as an Attorney with the State of New Jersey. He was later appointed a Judge in Union County New Jersey, a position that brought great pride and enjoyment to the whole family. Sarafrances counted among her happiest moments her marriage of 38 years to her “best friend, Fillmore, until his death in 1982. Her son, Fillmore Jr., was a successful Attorney in New York, Connecticut and California. Her daughter Bertrice is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. Her German daughter, Dagmar, was a Judge in the courts of Berlin, Germany. Sarafrances was an active faithful member of several churches, growing up in the Antioch Baptist Church in St. Louis, then the Plainfield Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, Mt. Zion Congregational Church, United Church of Christ (Cleveland), , Calvary Presbyterian Church and the Solon Community Church, United Church of Christ, where her daughter served as pastor of the latter three. She was also an active member of Pilgrim Congregational Church. She was a deacon as well as a member of several committees and outreach ministry groups in each of these congregations. When her children were young she participated in the PTA, as Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and in other school activities. Her community memberships included, among others: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (She was a Diamond Soror, having been a member for 80 years), the American Association of University Women, the YWCA and Church Women United in New Jersey and Ohio. In New Jersey she was the State President of Church Women United. She remained active in several Bridge clubs in Plainfield and Cleveland and in recent years often won Scrabble games at the Atrium. Sarafrances was a gifted pianist who played for many church, community and social events. She leaves to mourn: her children, several nieces and nephews, her extended family in Germany, including 2 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and many, many, friends. The family would welcome memorial donations to the Plainfield Congregational Church (NJ) , the Solon Community Church, the American Heart Association, or the Foundation of the National Institutes of Health. She was a loving and caring friend, an inspiration to many, an awesome Mother and Oma, and a faithful Christian. She is missed by everyone who knew her. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Sarafrances S. Wood, please visit our floral store. Read More

Sarafrances S. Wood

July 24, 1920 - June 16, 2022