The publication is reproduced in full below:
REMEMBERING REVEREND DOCTOR MARCUS GARVEY WOOD
______
HON. KWEISI MFUME
of maryland
in the house of representatives
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Mr. MFUME. Madam Speaker, I rise this morning to commemorate the life of a gentle giant and a great theologian: Reverend Doctor Marcus Garvey Wood. His celebration of life and homegoing service is taking place in Baltimore's Providence Baptist Church tomorrow morning.
Reverend Wood, who I knew as ``my mother's favorite cousin,'' was one of seven children born to Frank Wood, a hardworking carpenter born into slavery, and Julia Wood, a dedicated and giving homemaker. They lived modestly on a family farm in Gloucester, Virginia. With nothing more than 25 cents and a commitment to serve, Reverend Wood entered adulthood at the age of 17. It did not take him long to begin his spiritual journey. He preached his first sermon as a senior in high school and shortly thereafter, became licensed by the church to preach in 1937. By the Grace of God, Dr. Wood was ordained as a Baptist minister only 3 years later.
Reverend Wood devoted most of his life to serving the community around him. An inspiring leader, he was pivotal in community service and played a key role in the 1960's Civil Rights Movement in Baltimore, marching alongside his noteworthy former classmate and lifelong friend, Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr.
Reverend Wood and I share the same undergraduate alma mater, Morgan State University. By the end of his academic journey, Reverend Wood had obtained two bachelor's degrees, a master's degree in divinity, and was bestowed the high honor of receiving a ``Distinguished Alumni Award'' from Crozer Theological Seminary. He was the last surviving member of his class at Crozer Theological Seminary--where he met Dr. King--to begin what was to be a personal connection to both Dr. King and his legacy.
Reverend Wood carried what he learned from his academic pursuits and his peers into a career of visionary leadership and public service. From launching innovative techniques like opening solar-heated and ADA accessible church facilities, to developing the Providence Adult Day Care Center, no stone could be left unturned. He spread his love around the world and traveled to countries like England, Scotland, Russia, and Ireland to attend religious conferences. He made room to dedicate time to developing food programs, an AIDS ministry, prison outreach, and a committee for the homeless. He maintained memberships to different organizations, boards, and agencies such as the Baltimore Urban League, the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance, the NAACP, and many more.
Reverend Wood's wife of 69 years, the former Bessie Pendleton, died in 2017. He leaves to mourn his passing a brother, Dr. Garnett Wood; daughter, Jeanetta James; son, Marcus G. Wood; and grandchildren Kevin Brown, Darrell Brown-Bey, Monica G. Wood and Melissa G. Wood Bartholomew; as well as two great grandchildren and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Madam Speaker, in closing, Reverend Wood disavowed any trappings or pretensions and lived his faith in God. He did not suffer fools lightly and was one of a kind. He was, as they say, ``the Real McCoy.'' Reverend Doctor Marcus Garvey Wood left a memory with every person he interacted with, including myself. May his soul forever rest in peace.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 106
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