Avis George Hood

Avis George Hood, 83, of Pine Bluff, died Thursday, June 12, 2014. She was born April 30, 1931 in Pine Bluff, daughter of Delmar Lonnie and Rose Etta Berryman George. Mrs. Hood was reared and received her early education in Pine Bluff, graduating from Pine Bluff High School. She worked alongside her husband, James "Jim" Hood, at Hood and Company Insurance and Real Estate for many years. Mrs. Hood was currently the treasurer and bookkeeper for Southern Development Corporation. In 1962, Mrs. Hood joined Alpha Tau chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha service sorority, and in 1977, she was a charter member of Sigma Nu chapter. She served as chapter president four times and was Woman of the Year three times, most recently in 2008/2009. She also served on several state councils including serving as Council President, and was currently chapter treasurer. She was active in the Sahara Shrine Temple through her husband, and continued to attend social events and work the Shrine Circus' cotton candy sales through this year's event. Mrs. Hood was also a member of Heckatoo Heritage Society and other organizations dedicated to historical preservation. Mrs. Hood was an avid bowler for many years, having participated in 25 women's state bowling tournaments, and enjoyed casino games in later years. As a young mother, she taught Sunday School at First Christian Church, where she remained a member throughout her life. She was preceded in death by her husband, James "Jim" Hood; her parents; two brothers, Charles Ruel Bolding and Delbert Bolding; sister, Dorothy Poteet; and two grandsons, James Howard Hood and Matthew Carey. Survivors include her son, James Michael Hood of Pine Bluff; three daughters, Bonnie Jean Hood of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Ruthie Carey (Kenny) of Hot Springs and Susan Adell "Susie" Kates (Booth) of Hot Springs; sister, Isla Jean Scallion of Pine Bluff; five grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be 10 a.m., Monday, June 16, 2014 in the Chapel of Ralph Robinson & Son with Reverend Lynn Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. at Robinson's. The family of Ruthie Carey will be at the home of Garland and Kathy Tynes, 1018 Michael Ann Drive in White Hall after the visitation on Sunday. All other family will be at Mrs. Hood's home, 4701 North Rockwood Drive in Pine Bluff. Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 100 Department 300, Memphis, Tennessee 38148-0552; Shriners' Children's Hospital, 3100 Sanford Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana 71103; First Christian Church, 3911 Hazel Street, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603. Online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.