Fairenda Wood

Fairenda Johnson Wood, affectionately known as Nana departed this earthly life and entered the gates of heaven on July 21, 2026.

Fairenda was born on March 23,1942, in, Pikeville, Kentucky, to her parents, Flora Cox and Carroll Johnson.

She was an entrepreneur who established and operated Fairenda's Dress Shop, Betsy Layne Floral and Gift, and Citizens Realty before moving on to another adventure. Her greatest accomplishment in life was her work for the Lord.

She was a member of Pikeville Freewill Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school, served as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary, a faithful member of the choir, and helped compile the church's first cookbook.

In 1984, Fairenda began working alongside Mrs. Esther Otteson to establish a Christian radio station, fulfilling a dream that Reverend Joseph S. Otteson had envisioned for the area prior to his untimely death. Fairenda served on the board of directors until that dream became a reality. WJSO 90.1 FM first went on the air on March 14, 1989, and 24-hour programming began on December 28, 1989, just a few weeks after Mrs. Otteson's homegoing. On December 18, 1991, the FCC granted the license transfer to Moody Bible Institute, where Fairenda remained an employee until her retirement in 2024.

Fairenda was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gaylor Edward Wood; her son, David Allen Ray; her brother, David Johnson; her half-sister, Mary Sue Youngblood; and the stepfather who raised her, Perry West.

She is survived by her daughter, Angela (Jonathan Newsome of Raccoon, Kentucky; her stepdaughter, Shelia (Tony O'Neil) Mullins of Burning Fork, Kentucky; her grandchildren, Lauren (Charley) Fleenor, Logan (Autumn) Newsome, Lyndsey (Caseton) Adkins, Tiffani (Michael) Ballard, Tony (Brandy) Mullins, Tasha (Jason) Justice, and a granddaughter by love, Hailee (Chris) Gunter.

She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Hallie, Elijah, Terra, Zoey, Samuel, Addie, Kolson, Canaan, Kollyns, Kross, Octavia (due in September), Gabriella, Raven (CJ), Chandler, Jayden, Zane, Jameson, Abi, and a great-granddaughter by love, Maggie. She was joyfully awaiting the arrival of two great-great-grandchildren, Piper and Rynlee, due in January 2027.

She is also survived by her brother, James Johnson of Louisiana, along with several nieces and nephews who are left to mourn her passing.

Fairenda was deeply loved by her family and her community.

"Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into your eternal reward and bliss."

In lieu of flowers the family request that you listen to WJSO 90.1 in her memory and continue to support the station with contributions so that her work can continue on.

Visitation will be Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the Lucas & Son Funeral Home at 6 PM. Visitation will also be on Friday, July 24, 2026 at the Lucas & Son Funeral Home with a special service held by Jim Patton at 7 PM.  Funeral services will be Saturday at 1 PM at the Pikeville Freewill Baptist Church with Morgan Chapman officiating.  The burial will follow in the Johnson Memorial Park in Pikeville, Kentucky.  Pallbearers will be Jonathan Newsome, Logan Newsome, Charley Fleenor, Caseton Adkins, Elijah Justice and Neil Mullins.