May 9, 2018

Pamela Lynn Henderson Wood, 69, passed away peacefully Friday, May 4, 2018, in her home in Penrose Park, Philadelphia. Her family was by her side when she drifted off to be with her Lord.

She was born March 31, 1949, in Washington, to the late Henry Henderson and Mildred Crawford Henderson. She graduated from Washington High School in 1967 and received her bachelor’s degree from Temple University in 1971. Pamela married Arthur Robert Wood August 21, 1976.

Pamela aspired to become a teacher very early in life; she was one of few black students in the Washington High School Future Teachers of America Club. Her first experience teaching was at Cornerstone Baptist Church’s Head Start program, where she taught preschool-aged children. She loved it. She once said she loved teaching children at that age because they didn’t give you any lip. Pamela went on to Harrington Elementary School, where she taught for nearly 30 years. She enjoyed the challenge of creating new ways to teach lessons to her students.

Pamela was a woman of few words. She did most of her talking through her actions. She made sure everything was taken care of, from the finances to making sure her children’s homework was done. Pamela encouraged her children unconditionally. She took Chrissy on many trips to the zoo after she aspired to become a veterinarian one day. And when her son wanted to attend an expensive school in New York to study art, she didn’t even blink – she just pulled out her checkbook. Pamela was also an active member of Eastwick United Methodist Church, where she played many roles, from Sunday school teacher to narrating the annual Easter play.

Pamela pledged Delta Sigma Theta while attending Temple University. The women she met through her sorority became lifelong friends; those bonds were never broken. Pamela took great pride in her collection of elephants and wearing the colors of Delta Sigma Theta. The contributions she made through her sorority were a great source of fulfillment for her. May 4, 2018, not only marked the day of her passing, but also her 50-year anniversary as a member of this extraordinary group.

Pamela’s health slowly declined in 2005. There were many hospital stays and great pain, but Pamela was blessed to have many good people around her providing support and comfort in her last 13 years. When she could no longer speak, her eyes still lit up when friends, family and sorors came by to sit with her and keep her company. She laughed when her son read to her. When her granddaughters came to visit, she would cry out when they had to leave. She appeared calm and content knowing her husband was standing strong by her side refusing to give up on her, taking care of her without question.

Pamela is survived by her husband of 41 years, Arthur Wood; her two children and their spouses, Chrislyn and Mark Nicholson and Brian and Katrina Wood; two grandchildren, Naila and Briyana; sister Mary Henderson Oakley; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Albert Crawford.