Rev. Charles E. Hood, Jr.

LAURENS - Rev. Charles E. Hood Jr., 89, of 1 Martha Franks Drive, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008, at Laurens County Hospital.

Born in Slidell, La., he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Hood, Sr. Mr. Hood graduated from the Baptist Bible Institute in New Orleans, La., in 1944 with a Th.M. degree and then pastored three Baptist churches in Louisiana before moving to South Carolina in 1946. He

then served as pastor of Kirby Memorial Baptist Church in Gaffney, where he was elected Pastor Emeritus and also Edwards Road Baptist Church in Greenville.

After retiring to Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center, he published several books, Victory in Marriage, The Heavenly Host and Angels, and Seven Day Journey Into Glory. Mr. Hood was also a member of First Baptist Church in Laurens, member of the Martha Franks Singers, taught

Sunday School at Martha Franks for eight years and was the last surviving member of his immediate family.

Surviving are his wife, Bette Buckner Hood of the home; a stepdaughter, Joyce S. Gore and husband, Randy, of Ft. Mill; a stepson, Daniel J. Smith of Gastonia, N,C,; and three step- grandchildren, Ashley Gore, Jenny Bruton and

husband, Chris, and Kimberley Long and husband, Steve.

In addition to his parents, Rev. Hood was predeceased by his first wife, Alethea B. Hood.

Memorial services will be held Monday, Aug. 18, at 4 p.m. at Martha Franks Rasor Chapel, conducted by Dr. Bev T. Kennedy, Jr. and Dr. Russell Dean with burial at 2 p.m. in Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville.

Visitation was held Sunday, Aug. 17, from 6-8 p.m. at The Kennedy Mortuary.

The family will be at the residence.

Memorials may be made to Martha Franks Baptist Retirement Center, 1 Martha Franks Drive, Laurens, S.C. 29360.

Arrangements by Kennedy Mortuary, 606 W. Main St., Laurens. (www.thekennedymortuary. com)