Nina Wood

1932 - 2022

Nina Kirkland Wood, age 90, of Flippin passed away in her home Aug. 22, 2022.

She was born Aug. 9, 1932, to Floyd and Myrtle Swan Kirkland on the family farm in the shadow of where Bull Shoals Dam now stands. She grew up following her father whether plowing a field or skidding timber behind a team. This work ethic carried forward her entire life.

Nina began school in what was known as Newton Flat (now Bull Shoals). In ninth grade, Nina started high school at Flippin where she played basketball and earned all-state honors. While attending high school in Flippin she met a young Forrest Wood. The two became inseparable as they had many of the same interests. They were married April 21, 1951, and shared almost 69 years of marriage.

Although Nina may be best known as Forrest's wife and co-founder of Ranger Boats, that's only part of her story. What many do not know, is her family was displaced by the building of the aforementioned dam. After losing their farm, life became more difficult. At a young age, Nina did her part to help feed a large family. She worked at tough jobs such as milking cows, picking cotton and digging mussels from the White River.

When Nina's grandfather was injured, she took over his job of riding a horse to read gauges and record the rise and fall of the river before the dam construction. On those days, she sometimes took her fishing pole. Although she loved fishing she was happiest on her farm tending cattle or in the hayfield. Driving her four-wheel drive truck with a well-stocked cooler in the back, Nina could be seen checking cattle or delivering lunches. Nina was a wonderful cook, and feeding people was a passion, whether at work or at family gatherings. For many years Nina raised a garden, early in life as a necessity, and later because she enjoyed the work.

Nina was a Christian and faithful member of First Baptist Church in Flippin for over 70 years.

Nina loved children. She thoroughly enjoyed watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren play sports or anything in which they were involved. She was always ready for an ice cold Dr. Pepper, in a can please, not a plastic bottle. She loved bowling and her border collie, Tip. Nina did not like chocolate!

Nina is survived by four daughters, Brenda (Randy) Hopper, Linda Wood, Rhonda (Kirk) Layton and Donna (Gregg) Alexander; 11 grandchildren, Keith (Lisa) Daffron, Jamie (Lane) Garner, Kevin (Heather) Daffron, Kyle (Alisha) Benedict, Kallie (Jason) Copeland, Bryan (Andrea) Benedict, Micaela (Mario) Thomas, Zach Alexander, Torie (Justin) Trammell, Lindsay (Blake) Marotti and Ethan Layton; 25 great-grandchildren; one great-great grandson and her loving caregivers, Sheila Hall and Emma Clark.

Nina was preceded in death by her husband, parents, two brothers and five sisters.

Burial will be private. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Hospice of the Ozarks, 811 Burnett Drive, Mountain Home, AR 72653 or Flippin Cemetery, P.O. Box 211, Flippin, AR 72634.