I was born on June 6, 1930 as the third and last child to Raymond Eugene and Opal Corder Hood in Gadsden, Alabama.

Before the age of schooling, my parents moved to Chattanooga, TN. where I was entered in first grade and I continued schooling there until my mother passed away in February of 1935.

During the great depression of the 20's and 30's jobs were scarce. We lived with my daddy's mother while he moved to Tyler, TX for a job there and later to Marshall, TX as a pipe fitter at the Marshall Car Wheel and Foundry Company on Greenwood Ave.   While working there he lived at a boarding house where he met and married my stepmother Edna Penticuff. My older brother (Gene) and I moved to Marshall in 1942; WWII was underway. A twelve year old girl was pretty frightened facing a war, a new place to live and a new mother.

I joined the Second Baptist Church in Marshall, made many new friends and sang in the choir. I really became interested in gospel music. My stepmother would take me out on FM 450 to hear the Noonday Gospel singing and it was some of the best that I had ever heard.

While finishing high school, I worked at the Recknagel Drug Store, in Marshall. I graduated from Marshall High School in 1946-47. I went on to the College of Marshall for almost two years where I was a member of the Sigma Iota Chi Sorority (a Christian based organization).

In 1946 I met a wonderful companion, J.W. Laws, who had returned from the US Coast Guard. We married March 27, 1948.   We had four wonderful children while living in Marshall, TX.

During those early years, I went to work for George Glenn Huffman, an attorney in the Marshall National Bank building, staying in his employ for 15 years; then moving to Carthage, TX for 4 years after my last daughter was born to work for Eastman Kodak Co from 1964 to 1991 in Longview. I was secretary to lawyers in the legal department working for the late George Predergast of Marshall and several other lawyers, including Evan Thomas, from time to time. Kodak was so good to me while I was in its employ and I am thankful for the opportunity I was given.

God's plan and guidance have been an important part of my life. He has opened so many doors and led me through them from school, to marriage, my children and my many friends. I will never be able to thank my Lord enough for His gracious mercy, love and forgiveness.   If you have not trusted Jesus, please trust Him today, "Trust and Obey, for there is no other Way" to Heaven.

My joys in life have always been my husband, J.W, my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, friends in Marshall, Longview, First Baptist Church in Hallsville, and my Texas Eastman friends.

My hobbies were cooking for the family, enjoying J.W.'s carpentry work and his flower beds and gardening, visiting friends and going to church. Gospel music has been my joy since I was a little girl. I have many CDs and videos of the Gaithers and other Christian musicians.

I am predeceased by my parents, my sister and brother, one daughter, Debra Jean and my husband. Survivors include one son, Joel (Shari), daughters Barbara (James Williams) and Deniese (Kevin Scott), four grandsons and six great grandchildren.

Written personably by Mrs. Maxine Laws.

In lieu of flowers the family of Mrs. Laws asks that any donations be made to Cure AHC Organization, www.cureahc.org or to the charity of your choice.

Visitation is from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at Downs Funeral Home, 4608 Elysian Fields Rd. in Marshall, TX. Services will be held Thursday, April 4, 2019, 10:00 a.m. at Downs Funeral Home. Rev. Tim Watson will be officiating the services. Interment will follow immediately after service going to Algoma North Cemetery.