Genevieve "Gennie" DeVille Wood

A Mass of Christian Burial for Genevieve "Gennie" DeVille Wood, 91, will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, November 12, 2021 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 4700 Palmetto Rd, Benton, Louisiana. Visitation at the church will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Burial will immediately follow at Richey Cemetery, 999 Effie Hwy, DeVille, Louisiana. Officiating the mass will be Father Pike Thomas. Officiating the graveside service will be Father Albi Mulloth. Gennie was born on June 14, 1931 in DeVille, Louisiana to Alfonzo and Hattie Reid DeVille. She passed away on Sunday, November 7, 2021 at her home in Bossier City while surrounded by her loved ones. Gennie had many passions, including dance. She moved to California and became a talented dance instructor at Arthur Murray Dance Studio where she taught for many years. She even was a dancer on the Lawrence Welk Show. Many years after her dance career she moved back to Louisiana and began a new career which became her greatest love, horse training. Gennie was a pioneer in the horse training industry, because at that time, women did not work in the field. She brought many women into the industry and was one of the very first women licensed as a horse trainer. She trained and spent much of her time at Louisiana Downs. In her later years, Gennie traveled with her husband, Roy Wood, to California where he was the Executive Director of The California Horse Racing Board. In her spare time, she enjoyed traveling, cruising, and playing golf. She was the first in her family to make a hole-in-one! Gennie was known for being very helpful, kind and having a servant's heart. Gennie is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her loving husband of 39 years, Roy Clifton Wood, Jr.; son, Edward Mertens and stepson, Christopher Wood. Honoring Gennie as pallbearers will be Joseph Foster, Melvin Holland, Terry McGee, Charley Muller, Jamie Sisson, Jimmy Sistrunk and Angelo Trosclair. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronald Ardoin and Allen Fonteno. The family would like to express their appreciation to Dr. Ted Warren and his staff for always going above and beyond for Gennie. They would also like to give a sincere thank you to her four caregivers Doris Little, Angela Singleton, Esther Billard and Deborah Watroba.