Carol Mallard Hood

Carol Mallard Hood, 88, of Trenton, NC joined the church triumphant on Sunday, December 21, 2025. She was born on November 26, 1937 in Jones County to the late Wilmer and Nannie Mallard. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James R. Hood.

Carol has always been a champion of education. She graduated from East Carolina College in 1959 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Education. Her 30 year career in public education included 25 years in the classroom and 5 years as Finance Officer for the Jones County School System. Carol was a member of the Lenoir Community College Board of Trustees from 1988 until 2018, where she served on the Instructional/Curriculum Committee, the Executive Committee, and the Finance Committee. As an active trustee, Carol was an instrumental participant during the construction of a new Jones County Center in 2005. Recognizing her dedicated service to the community and to education, she was awarded the prestigious honor of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by former NC Governor Roy Cooper in 2018.

Carol was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an honorary organization for women educators, which fosters leadership of its members and advances excellence in education globally.

She was a long time member of the Trenton Methodist Church. Carol put her faith in action as she served in various capacities. She taught Sunday School and sang in the choir for many years. Her organizational and administrative skills were utilized as she chaired numerous committees and was the church treasurer for 22 years. Beyond the local church, Carol served as District Lay Leader for the New Bern District of the NC Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Eternally impacted by her love and devotion, Carol is survived by her sons, J. Martin Hood (Elizabeth) of Rocky Mount, NC and Paul E. Hood (Beth) of Sanford, NC; brother Lawrence R. Mallard of Washington, NC; sister Anne M. Gilmore (Bobby) of Sanford, NC; grandchildren Daniel M. Hood (Leigh), Catherine A. Hood (Eden Schiffmann), and Adam P. Hood; great-grandchildren Caroline Hood, Lily Hood, David Schiffmann, and Michael Schiffmann; and many special cousins.

The family will receive friends on Friday, December 26, 2025 from 1pm until 3pm at Trenton Methodist Church 107 S. Market Street Trenton, NC. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday December 27, 2025, 11am, at Trenton Methodist Church with Reverend Joan Fischer and Reverend Beth Hood officiating. Burial to follow at the Trenton City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Trenton Methodist Church P.O. Box 520, Trenton, NC 28585.

Arrangements are being handled by Cotten Funeral Home 2201 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC.