Mary Hilma (Evans) Wood passed away Saturday, June 14, 2014. She leaves behind a daughter, Treva Ann Hoggard and her husband Charles A. Hoggard, three grandchildren, Michael Scott McCoy and his wife Lisa, Kristie Martine McCoy, and Stephen Brian McCoy and his wife Angela, and five great grandchildren, Josh Noris, Jessical Lilly Hodge, Lochlan Gabriel McCoy, Elka Sabine McCoy, and Finnegan Dominic McCoy.

Mary is preceded in death by her husband William B. Wood, her brother Joe Bill Evans, and her great granddaughter Jordan Ashlyn McCoy.

Mary drew much pride from her rich heritage and lovingly passed it on to her family. Mary''s forebears were part of the Irish and Germany pioneers who came in large numbers to settle and populate southern Missouri in the early nineteenth century.

Her great great great grandfather John Kershner came from Tennessee in the 1830''s and purchased a farm along the James River near Pearson Creek just east of Springfield. This farm remained in the family for over 150 years. Through the generations many family members were born there. Mary would often tell colorful stories of her ancestors (including the McCroskeys who married into the Kershners) who spent their lives on that same farm. These almost storybook heroes, as she would describe them, included Civil War lieutenants and captains who fought at Wilson''s Creek and Pea Ridge and friends of the famous Wild Bill Hickok. Mary often told stories of family members from both the Union and Confederate armies.

Mary was born to Harry F. and Oleeta Christine Evans on March 23, 1923. She lived her life in Springfield, attended elementary school at Mt. Pisgah School just east of town and later graduated from Springfield High School (Central High School) in 1941. Her husband, Bill, served in the Philippines during World War II and her younger brother, Joe Bill, served during the Korean War.

Mary leaves behind a proud legacy of her rich and beloved lineage that will be kept carefully for generations. She is now part of the story.

She lived her life fortified by faith and leaves this world endeared to all.

The family would like to thank Springfield Rehabilitation Center for their caring efforts.

The family would also like to thank Tammy Connell and her daughter Nicole Statts for their help and tenderness over the years.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in honor of Mary to Dynamic Strides. Dynamic Strides, Inc. is a therapeutic horseback riding program in the Republic area that provides cutting edge therapy to children and adults who suffer from cerebral palsy, stroke, development delays, down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, autism, traumatic brain injury, and many other conditions. To contact Dynamic Strides please email margecheesman@gmail.com or call (417)300-3192.

A service will be held on Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. at Klingner-Cope Family Funeral Home at White Chapel, 5234 W State Hwy EE (Division), Springfield, MO with Steve Clark officiating. A visitation will be held from 1 till 2 pm in the funeral home.

Online condolences may be made to www.klingnerfuneralhome.com.