Frances Bailey Wood of Boston, Virginia, passed peacefully in The Culpeper on March 14, 2024.

Frances, born on Feb. 20, 1919, witnessed a lot of history in her 105 years!

Frances enjoyed traveling around the US. Born in Hudson, Massachusetts, she lived in Trenton, New Jersey, Weymouth, Massachusetts (where she graduated from Weymouth High School), Worcester, Massachusetts, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Rouses Point, New Yor, Staten Island, New York, Ottawa, Canada, North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and Boston, Virginia.

She enjoyed working as an X-ray technician and left her career when her husband, Charles, became an Immigration Attaché at the American Embassy in Ottawa (1971- 1978).

Frances was interviewed for an article that was published in the Thimble Collector’s International Fall 2015 Bulletin. During the interview, she reminisced about her long history of sewing. At 12 years old, Frances learned to sew by hand in the fifth grade. Soon after, her mother taught her to use a sewing machine, and then her family moved when she was in the seventh grade. The new school didn’t teach sewing until seventh grade, so Frances started all over with hand sewing. It was frustrating to have to sew by hand again after the speed and ease of a sewing machine. Being a proficient seamstress, Frances made almost all of her clothes for many years. As her children came along, she sewed for them as well. Some of the Halloween costumes were quite impressive and even won awards. Eventually, Frances learned how to make slipcovers and had a small slipcover business.

As a youth, Frances was a member of and very active in 4-H and Christian Endeavor in her church. Over the years, she was involved with Home Extension (in Rouses Point, NY), Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and taught Sunday school.

Frances was predeceased by her husband, Charles Wood, whom she married on Sept. 14, 1940.

Frances is survived by her children, Bruce (Sara), Wendy Tyson, Susan (Rudolph Jr./Chip) Cenci, and Janet (Earl) Long; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, May 2 from noon to 3 p.m. at New Salem Baptist Church, Fellowship Hall, 8233 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, VA 22701.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Frances’ name to Rhett Syndrome, North Kingstown Methodist Church (420 Boston Neck Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852), or Friends of Southport Island Maine (https://
friendsofsouthportislandmaine.com).

An online guestbook and tribute wall are available at www.foundandsons.com. Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is serving the family.