Vonna Bell Wood

VONNA BELL WOOD, 72, of Little Rock, Ark., passed away in her sleep Saturday morning, Nov. 26, 2016. She was born June 27, 1944, to the late H.H. and Ivon Wood Bell in Pine Bluff, Ark. In 1962, Vonna graduated from Pine Bluff High School, and she earned her B.A. at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro. She was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. In college, she met Isaac ("Ike"), and they married on June 16, 1966. Vonna and Ike moved to Pine Bluff, Ark., where she began a long, fulfilling teaching career. She first taught children with special-education needs and later taught third- and fourth-grade students at 34th Avenue Elementary School until she retired. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff for many years. In 2012, Vonna and Ike relocated to Little Rock to be closer to Paul, their son, and his family. She was most proud of her granddaughters, Madeline and Anna, who were the light of her life. She loved, more than any other job in the world, being their "Meme." Vonna was compassionate and selfless. She loved caring for others and will be dearly missed by her cat, Chloe. After Ike was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, Vonna dedicated her time volunteering in the Helping Hands Adult Respite Care ministry of Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church, and she was also active in the local Alzheimer's Arkansas Support Group. After her move to Little Rock, she moved her church membership to St. James United Methodist Church. Survivors include her husband, Isaac Caroll Wood of Little Rock; her son, Paul Harrison Wood and his wife Wendy, and their daughters, Madeline and Anna, of Little Rock; her older sister, Norma Hetzel of Georgetown, Texas; her niece, Holly S. Trotta, and her husband, David, of North Little Rock; her nephews, Allen Hetzel and Stephen Hetzel and his wife, Kristy, and daughter, Jordan; and her nephew Arthur Bradley Beshears. Vonna was preceded in death by her parents, Ivon and H.H. Bell; her brother, Buddy Bell, and her twin sister, Paula Bell Beshears. Visitation will be on Wednesday, Nov. 30, 2016, at Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Home, 807 Cherry Street, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71601, from 6-8 p.m. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Robinson's. Memorials may be made in Vonna's name to Alzheimer's Arkansas, 201 Markham Center Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.