LaVeta M. Wood
December 3, 1933 ~ August 9, 2011
Resided in:
Pueblo, CO
LaVeta M. Wood, 77, went to be with the Lord on August 9, 2011. LaVeta was born and raised in Norman, Okla. She was preceded in death by her parents I. C. Wood and Ruth Birkhead Wood; half brothers, Clark and Novel S. Wood; and sister, Jeanne Curtis. She is survived by her brother, John H. Wood of Sacramento, Calif.; nieces and nephews, Laura (Keith) Poch, Kimbre (Jose) AmayaWood, Karen (Eric) PetersonWood. Gary (Brenda) Wood; 14 great nieces and nephews; and many dear friends, including loving caregivers, Arlene Walding, June and Hank Saldana and Jack Gornick. LaVeta graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1956. She came to Pueblo where she taught school for 36 years in School District 60 at Belleplain Elementary and mostly at Belmont Elementary School. She was active in the Pueblo Symphony Chorale and later the Pueblo Choral Society. She was a past member of the Board of Directors of the Pueblo Symphony, Past President of Pueblo Children's Chorale, Board of Directors of Rosemont Museum Auxiliary, member of PEO Chapter CI. She toured Europe and was a soloist with the Chorale and Rocky Mountain Singers of Denver. She also sang in several church choirs and the Sister Suzanne's Choir. There will be no viewing. Cremation, Montgomery & Steward Crematorium. Memorial Mass, 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, 2011, at Christ the King Catholic Church, 1708 Horseshoe Dr., with Msgr. Tom Adrians. Current or former Chorale members are invited to participate in singing 'Ave Verum' at LaVeta's service. In lieu of food and flowers, memorials may be made to Pueblo Choral Society, Rosemount Museum, Pueblo Children's Chorale or Christ the King Catholic Church New Organ Fund through Montgomery & Steward Funeral Directors, 1317 N. Main St., Pueblo, CO 81003. Online condolences, MontgomerySteward.com
Miss Wood was my favorite teacher in elementary school. Her kindness and musical talent will always be remembered and appreciated. Our whole family sends their condolences. She will be missed. Luckily my mom met Miss Wood at King Soopers not so long ago and told her how special she was to our family.
LaVeta was a very good friend of my mother and a wonderful supportive person in my life growing up. I am so sad to say I will not be able to make it to the services on Saturday.
I know LaVeta was welcomed into heaven by some very special friends. I can see them having lunch, ordering as many desserts as they want.
It was my pleasure to know LaVeta & she will genuinely be missed! Rest In Peace & Song LaVeta. May God bless those who will be dealing with the loss of such a beautiful lady.
I met LaVeta at my 1st birthday party. She was a friend of my aunt, June (Penn) Saldana. For many birthdays LaVeta would come to my slumber parties in Beulah, where we would all gather and sing around the piano and play games until dawn. Through the years, I would have lunch when I visited. I will miss her, peace to her family.
As I send my twin daughters to 1st grade this year, I can only hope they have teachers as special as Miss Wood! I was lucky enough to have her for 2 years in a row – 2nd and 3rd grade – at Belmont. Her voice, gentleness & music in the class are all very vivid memories which bring a smile to my face. Over 40 yrs later, I still remember when she came to my house for lunch and thinking how special I felt. Her love for her students was palpable and her love of music was shared greatly with all who had the joy to hear her sing.
How blessed I was to have Miss Wood as a teacher. How blessed her family and friends were to have her in their lives. And how blessed Heaven is to have a new member of the choir!!
Miss Wood will be missed, but she left her imprint on more hearts than you can imagine.
With great fondness and sympathy,
Marliss Stahle Gruver
To Bryan Ross – I still remember you playing the guitar in class. How fun it is that we can still be in touch.
I recently learned of “Miss” Wood’s passing through another classmate on Facebook.
Miss Wood, among other teachers at Belmont, was a muse for my youth and my life. Yet Miss Wood was the most endearing teacher I ever had. I was inspired to go to class to listen and learn from her. She could connect with every student in class, as if she was spending all her time with you specifically.
At the time (Second Grade), I was woefully shy and introverted, even to the point that I rarely wanted to be called on by a teacher or raise my hand. Yet, Miss Wood saw something in me. She found out I was taking guitar lessons. So, she asked me if I would play for the class. And I did. It was the beginning, for me, to be able to comfortably interact with my classmates. I found it to be a privilege to play for her and my class. Shortly thereafter, I found myself being stuffed into my mother’s VW bug (along with my guitar) and taken to Miss Wood’s apartment to learn how to sing. She found a way to take my inner voice and to express outwardly that which I held close inside. She had changed my life forever.
Over the years, my parents took me to several of the Chorale and Philharmonic concerts. And I would lean over to my mom and say, “there is ‘my’ teacher.”
In the end, the shy second grader became Lieutenant Commander Ross, USN, and eventually an operations manager leading a team of 500+. I have continuously been in leadership positions for over 26 years now. I attribute my success to the spark Miss Wood created within me. Thank you Miss Wood for your encouragement, love and your precious time.
To the family of Miss LaVeta Wood: I was truly blessed to have her in just part my life, thus, I can only imagine how (over a lifetime) she enriched your lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you and her.
Bryan Ross (Miss Wood’s Second Grade Class of 1969)
Miss Wood, among other teachers at Belmont, was a muse for my youth and my life. Yet Miss Wood was the most endearing teacher I ever had. At the time (Second Grade), I was woefully shy and introverted. Yet, Miss Wood saw something in me. She found out I was taking guitar lessons. So, she asked me if I would play for the class. And I did. I found it to be a privilege to play for her and my class. Shortly thereafter, I found myself being stuffed into my mother’s VW bug (along with my guitar) and taken to Miss Wood’s apartment to learn how to sing. She found a way to take my inner voice and to express outwardly that which I held close inside. She had changed my life forever.
To the family of Miss LaVeta Wood: I was truly blessed to have her in just part my life, thus, I can only imagine how (over a lifetime) she enriched your lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you and her.
Bryan Ross (Miss Wood’s Second Grade Class of 1969)
What wonderful memories I have of Miss Wood one of my favorite teachers at Belmont! She made 3rd grade fun, musical and a great time for learning and friendship. She was always sweet and a bit indulgent. She would allow us to be who we were and in her presence you felt BETTER than you were. Her beautiful voice was an inspiration and her heart was warm an open for all of her little students.
It was a privilege to have her as a teacher and I thoroughly enjoyed running into her over the years as an adult.
Only the best memories for our wonderful Miss Wood….I celebrate a beautiful life.
My condolences to her family I am sure she will be greatly missed.
Best to you,
Amy (Landrum) Kunstle