Teresa “Terri” Hay Wood, aged 75, of Charleston, South Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. Her celebration of life will take place 2:00pm Tuesday, July 28th 2026 at Our Place on 17 (formerly known as Heritage Presbyterian Church) located at 2129 N Highway 17 in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

Born on March 7, 1951, in Charleston, South Carolina, Terri was the cherished daughter of the late Frank Seabrook Hay, Jr. and the late Ruth Lee Higgins and grew up with her siblings in Riverland Terrace and The Crescent. She demonstrated academic excellence early on, graduating as the valedictorian from James Island High School in 1969. Following her high school success, she attended Furman University when she met her husband, R. Howard Wood.

Terri and Howard shared a life journey that included relocating to South Dakota right after they were married in 1971, then moving to Virginia, where both of their daughters were born. They eventually returned to South Carolina, where they raised their family. In addition to raising their family in Mt. Pleasant, Terri and Howard were founding members of Heritage Presbyterian Church where they built their church family. Both Terri and Howard were in the church choir and served in many roles at the church for almost two decades.

After her two daughters finished elementary school, Terri worked as a bookkeeper and became a pivotal member of loving work families at Carolina’s Restaurant, The Burton Company, and H.M. Northcutt Corporation until she retired.

Music played a large part in Terri’s life: from learning to play the piano, to singing soprano in the church choir, to singing in the interdenominational group called the Fourth Day Singers and Musicians, which presented a “Celebration of Praise” for over 10 years as a part of Piccolo Spoleto Festival. If you were blessed with spending any amount of time with Terri, you either sang along with her or listened to praise and worship music with her. Music remained a source of peace and serenity throughout her later years when facing numerous heath challenges.

Throughout her life, Terri built a family marked by faith and love. She is survived by her two devoted daughters, Deanna Wood Cousino of North Charleston, SC, and Tessa Wood Dilley (Craig) of North Charleston, SC. Her joy was further enriched by three grandchildren: Alyssa Jane Cousino, Brady Scott Thomes, and Noah Grace Dilley. Her family circle extends to her four siblings: Michael S. Hay, MD (Catherine) of Orangeburg, SC; Alan O. Hay (Nancy) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; Jonathan L. Hay (Teresa) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL; and Fran Hay Morton (Lane) of Lexington, NC, also survives her.

Terri was also blessed with a large extended family including her surviving stepmother, Frances Hay of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and four surviving stepsiblings: Gretchen M. Penny (Thom) of Charleston, SC; Shawn M. Charlow (Kevin) of Charleston, SC; Peter A. McKeller (Teresa) of Mt. Pleasant; and William Drayton Higgins (Christie) of Charlotte, NC.

Her memory is also honored alongside those who preceded her in death: her parents Frank Seabrook Hay, Jr. and Ruth Lee Higgins; her stepfather John Calhoun Higgins, Jr.; her beloved husband R. Howard Wood; and her stepbrothers, John Calhoun Higgins III and David Rutherford Higgins.

Terri’s life was one characterized by her deep faith, humility, love, loyalty, honesty, and quiet strength. She leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered fondly by all who knew her. She was a devoted wife to Howard, a loving mother to her two girls, and a doting MiMi to her three grandkids. Flowers accepted, or memorial donation may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Mount Pleasant Chapel. A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com