Reverend Marcus Garvey Wood Passes Away At The Age Of 99

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Reverend Marcus Garvey Wood, the longtime pastor of Providence Baptist Church, passed away Monday just about a month short of his 100th birthday.

He served for more than 50 years as the preeminent pastor of Providence Baptist Church in Baltimore. He retired from that position when he turned 80.

Throughout the years, he told stories of his close association with a young preacher from the south: Martin Luther King, Jr.

Both attended Crozer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania. In 2013 Dr. Wood talked to WJZ's Vic Carter.

"I'm going south were I am wanted and needed," he said. "And so he went to Alabama, Montgomery, and so happened. It so happened that God brought [King Jr.] and Rosa Parks together in a clash over whether she should have gotten up and give a white man a seat."

Rev. Wood was an innovative pastor who grew his church to serve the community and to address contemporary issues like HIV/AIDS, access to buildings for those who are disabled and food insecurity. He also mentored pastors and counseled parishioners.

A memorial celebrating his life and legacy will be held at a later date.