Thomas William Hood

Thomas William Hood, age 91, of 333 North Main Street, Tennille, Georgia died Monday, March 31, 2014 at his residence. Visitation will be held this Wednesday, April 2 ^nd from 5 until 7 pm at the May & Smith Funeral Home in Sandersville. Funeral services will be held Thursday, April 3 ^rd at 2:00 p.m. at Ohoopee Baptist Church in Tennille.

Reverend Paul Melton will officiate and burial will follow at Zeta Cemetery in Tennille. Pallbearers are Kevin Frazier, Frank Hill Jr, Bobby Smith, Larry Smith, Chris Helm, Bill Hughes, Billy Fain and George Kitchens.

Mr. Hood was born December 8, 1922 to the late Robbie Hood and the late Lora Veal Hood of Deepstep. His wife, Sara Turner Hood, predeceased him. He was also predeceased by his three sisters Clemmie Hood Hall, Lorene Hood Smith and Theresa Hood Thompson. Mr. Hood is survived by his stepsons, Larry (Susan) Frazier of Smyrna and John (Marjorie) Frazier of Brooklet; three grandchildren, Jennifer (Frank) Hill of Atlanta, Leigh (Chris) Helm of Athens and Kevin Frazier of Atlanta. He had two great-granddaughters, Lillie Frazier Hill (3) and Bonnie Eason Hill (2) both of Atlanta and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hood was a 1939 graduate of Sandersville District School and a World War II Army veteran. He served in the European theater and, after the war, in the Philippines. Thomas was a member of the 86 ^th Infantry Division and lifelong friends with his buddies of the 911 ^th battalion whom he met with annually stateside. An active member of the Washington County community, he was owner/operator of Dixie Air Conditioning, Inc. for 52 years and a 40-year member of Ohoopee Baptist Church where he also served as deacon.

Mr. Hood was an avid singer and began playing guitar and mandolin during his teen years. He belonged to several regional country music groups. Fellow members will be serving as honorary pallbearers. Some of Thomas’ grandchildren’s earliest memories are of him playing at the Chalk Land Opry. Mr. Hood continued to perform for friends and family through his final weeks.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Ohoopee Baptist Church, P. O. Box 313, Tennille, Georgia, 31089.

May & Smith Funeral Directors in Sandersville is in charge of these arrangements. www.mayandsmithfuneraldirectors.com