William Henry Hood

1934 - 2023

William Henry Hood passed away peacefully, just steps from his beloved garden, surrounded by friends and family, regaling tales of travels to Mexico, Jamaica, and France on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at the age of 89. Born in Amite, Louisiana, Henry's life was a rich tapestry of colorful tales and joyous gatherings, deeply woven into the fabric of Covington, the town he adored and enlivened. His parents, Angie McKee and Hobson Schley Hood, predeceased him, as did his siblings Norma Ruth Whittington, Paul Joe and H.S. "Buddy" Hood. After his father died in 1939, his mother and siblings moved home to St. Tammany Parish. His mother owned and operated a small country grocery store on Folsom Hwy., where he lived. After Covington High School, he attended and graduated from Louisiana State University in 1959, where he was president of Phi Delta Theta and played in the LSU Marching Band. In 1956, he joined the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany until 1958, when he relinquished his post to Elvis Presley and returned to finish at LSU. Henry's path led him to work with his Aunt Jessie Hood Helms Brown at St. Tammany Insurance Agency, which he purchased and operated for most of his adult life. His knowledge and love of the land and unique places of Southeast Louisiana led him also to become a real estate broker serving a handful of special clients. Alongside his wife of 61 years, Gail Johnson Hood, Henry raised a family and cultivated a home on the banks of the Little Tchefuncte River that became a nexus of hospitality and cherished memories. This spirit of hospitality transferred to Downtown Covington when Henry and Gail were some of the first to reestablish residential life in the Division of St. John. He was active in Playmakers and the St. Tammany Art Association, serving as president and chairman of the Juried Summer Show for many years. His later years saw the establishment of the Henry Hood Gallery, a passion project that showcased the talents of Gulf South artists and the treasured works of his favorite artist, Gail. Henry fostered community spirit and beauty, not just through his gallery but in the very sidewalks of Covington, which he adorned with flowers for all to enjoy. Henry leaves behind a legacy of joy, creativity, and community, survived by his loving wife Gail; children William Hyatt Hood, Thomas Jefferson Hood, his wife Jacquelyn Ewing, Summer Hood Golden, her husband Molloy Golden, and his grandchildren, Isabella Hailey Hood, Hannah Blanchard Hood, Harper McKee Hood, and Jackson Henry Golden. The Hood family invites you to join them in celebrating Henry's life on Friday, November 10, from 3 - 5 p.m. in his courtyard, a place as vibrant and welcoming as Henry himself. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the St. Tammany Art Association and the Covington Food Bank, continuing his legacy of giving and growth. E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please Share a Memory on the Tribute Wall at www.ejfieldingfh.com.