Mary Elizabeth Riley Hood

Born on April 5, 1926 in Coushatta, LA to Mary Lee Gentry Riley and Emmett Riley, Elizabeth was the oldest of 8 children. She attended Campti High School where she played basketball and graduated second in her class. She was a member of the Cadet Nurse Corps, earning a scholarship to Schumpert School of Nursing in Shreveport, where she was president of her graduating class.

Elizabeth married Jimmie David Hood on October 19, 1946 and moved to Carthage, TX where they resided for 21 years. "Liz," as she was known by her friends and co-workers, was a charter nursing staff member of Panola General Hospital and a charter member of St. Williams Catholic Church in Carthage. In 1968, the family transferred to Midland, TX, where they resided for 18 years before retiring to Hide-A- Way Lake in Lindale. Elizabeth had a passion for helping those in need and through many years of nursing and volunteering within her community she touched the lives of countless people. She also loved fishing, sewing, gardening and was an avid reader. Spending time with her husband, children and grandchildren was her greatest joy.

Liz is survived by her husband of 67 years, Jimmie D. Hood; one son, David Hood of Laguna Niguel, CA; three daughters, Susie Hood of New Iberia, LA, Sandie Hood of Chandler, TX and Cherry McAfee and her husband, Dennis of Longview, TX; grandsons, Zach and Alex Hood of Laguna Niguel, CA, Josh McAfee and his wife, Leslie of Beckville, TX, Grant McAfee and his wife, Jeannie of Rockwall, TX; four great granddaughters, Maddie, Jessie, Kayson and Macie McAfee. Also surviving are, sister, Evelyn Womack and brother, Wesley Meyers of Campti, LA.

She was preceded in death by her infant son, James Donald Hood, her parents and five loving siblings.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00PM, Friday, March 7, 2014 at Tyler Memorial Funeral Home, 12053 State Highway 64 West, Tyler, TX. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be directed to Home Place Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701.

Tyler Memorial Funeral Home and Cemetery is entrusted with the arrangements.