Desiree Melissa Wood

Desiree Melissa Wood, 34, of Otto, NC, passed away as the result of a motor vehicle accident Tuesday, June 5, 2012 in Habersham County.

Desiree was born on October 10, 1977 in Fort Worth, Texas. She lived in Alpharetta and Roswell in her early years, learning the family restaurant business. After moving to Dillard, Georgia at the age of 12, she attended Clayton United Methodist Church and was an active member in the youth program, helping to pioneer the RAP program. Desiree starred as Auntie Em in Rabun Gap Nacoochee School's production of "The Wiz". She was also a published poet as well as an accomplished artist. She graduated Rabun Gap Nacoochee School and continued her culinary career by attending the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York. While pursuing her culinary career, Desiree worked as a pastry chef at The Plaza Hotel of Central Park in New York City. Learning how to apply her artistic ability with her culinary skills, Desiree moved back to Rabun County to assist in the family business at the Cupboard Café in Dillard.

Desiree spent her life helping others, putting their needs before her own. She would spend endless hours making sure someone who needed a job, had a job. She worked hard to maintain the family business as well as helping it grow. Her most recent accomplishment was scoring a perfect score on the last health inspection which requires employees knowing food safety, the restaurant meeting all food safety standards as well as requirements set by the Federal government. She enjoyed coordinating special events by using her artistic ability. She took great pride in making sure that the special events helped the guests enjoy themselves, once again putting others before herself.

Desiree's greatest joy was being the mother of Alex and Talan. She was so proud of her two incredible sons. She definitely made others' lives better by their having known her.


The family will receive friends at Beck Funeral Home, Thursday June 7, 2012 from 7 PM to 9 PM. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM Friday, June 8, 2012 at Clayton Baptist Church in Clayton, GA.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to A College fund for Alex and Talan that has been established C/O Stephens Federal Bank P.O. Box 1028 Clayton Georgia, or Sid Weber Memorial Cancer Fund P.O. Box 485, Rabun Gap. GA 30568

Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Georgia, is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.