ALBEMARLE-CHARLOTTESVILLE 7057B

1/2/2025

Members;

It is with sincere sorrow that over the holidays we received news of the passing of the

Reverend Dr. Virgil H. Wood.

In the history books of the Albemarle NAACP Chapter, Dr. Wood was very instrumental in the organization of the Albemarle NAACP chapter. The chapter was formed as the result of a traffic death in Albemarle County.

Our sincere condolences are extended to Mrs. Lillian Wood and family.

We will pay respects to Dr. Wood pending more details of his final rites.

Many thanks to Life Member Ruby Stradford Boston for making us aware of the loss of our fallen Foot Soldier!

Janette Boyd Martin, President

Albemarle-Charlottesville NAACP

History of Albemarle County Branch OF THE NAACP

In the early 1950’s Lewis Carter, a black World War II veteran was hit and killed by a white man in a speeding car on a small town road in Western Albemarle County. The citizens of Crozet felt that the local courts and law enforcement officials did not treat the matter seriously enough. A group of black people met to take action, including Fields Wood, Marvin Washington, Marion Wood, and Virgil Wood as well as members of several churches in the Yancey Mills, Crozet, and Greenwood communities. They contacted Oliver Hill and Spotswood Robinson of the Richmond law firm, Hill & Robinson. The family of Lewis Carter eventually won a settlement of the case. From this group, the Albemarle County Branch Chapter of the NAACP was formed. A charter was obtained on December 14, 1953, making this branch one of the oldest branches in the state of Virginia.