First Lady of West Virginina. Wife of Gov. Cecil H. Underwood.
Hovah Hall Underwood was born in Grantsville, West Virginia on April 12, 1919, the daughter of Roche Hall and Theodocia Betts Hall.
She graduated in 1937 from Calhoun County High School. She earned an AB degree from Salem College and later a degree in social work from West Virginia University. She went on to teach at Grantsville Grade School. During World War II she worked in a defense plant.
She met Cecil Underwood through her two sisters who were his classmates at Salem College. The couple married on July 25, 1948 in a ceremony held at Knotts Methodist Church in Calhoun County. They would become the parents of two daughters, Cecilia and Sharon; and a son, Craig, born the day after his dad was sworn in as governor in 1957.
Small in stature, Hovah Underwood was well-respected and loved by all despite party affiliations. During her husband's political career, she was the dutiful wife, accompanying Cecil on campaign tours that spanned more than half a century. She would host notable figures such as Richard and Pat Nixon, and the Eisenhower's, to name a few.
When Cecil Underwood made history as West Virginia's youngest elected governor in 1957, Mrs. Underwood was a rather low-key First Lady. Her primary focus was raising her young children in the Governor's Mansion. Forty years later, when her husband once again made history, this time becoming the oldest man elected governor, her role as First Lady was far more active. Comparing prepartions for his 1997 inaugural to that of his first in 1957, Cecil Underwood joked to a television news reporter, "At least this time Hovah isn't pregnant."
Mrs. Underwood, by this time in her late-70's, championed women's and children's issues. She also served with numerous help organizations such as Starting Points, a network of neighborhood resource centers for parents of young children, she was on the board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Cammack Children's Center, Huntington Museum of Art, Marshall University Artist Series, the United Methodist Foundation, and America's Promise, a member of United Methodist Women, Charleston Garden Club, Governor's Mansion Preservation Foundation, Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Kanawha County Republican Women, West Virginia Republican Women, Charleston Women's Club, West Virginia Symphony League, Hadassah of Charleston, Breast Cancer Awareness, Kids Count, American Association of Social Workers and was an avid supporter of Women's Day at the Legislature.
Cecil Underwood left office in January 2001. Longtime residents of Huntington, he and Mrs. Underwood sold their mansion, opting to move permanently to the Charleston condominium they owned to be near their two daughters and grandchildren.
On the evening of September 23, 2004, while dressing to join friends for dinner, Mrs. Underwood suffered a stroke at her Charleston home and was rushed to Charleston Area Medical Center. With her husband and children by her side, she died early on the morning of September 24th. Hovah Hall Underwood was 85.
After his wife's death, Cecil Underwood said that Mrs. Underwood had worried that she would fall ill and be left incapacitated. He added that he was grateful that when the end came, she went quickly and didn't suffer. Mrs. Underwood had requested that her body be donated to medical science. Following her death, the body of Hovah Underwood was taken to the Marshall University School of Medicine, in Huntington, West Virginia.
On September 1, 2006, nearly two years after her death, family and friends gathered to dedicate the Hovah Hall Underwood Children's Home just outside Huntington, West Virginia. It provides a safe haven for children in need of shelter.
Cecil Underwood never fully recovered from his beloved wife's death. He survived her by a little more than four years. He died at the age of 86 on November 24, 2008 at the Charleston home he had shared with Mrs. Underwood. Per his wishes, his body was donated to the Marshall University School of Medicine.
Upon the death of Governor Underwood, he requested that two grave markers be erected--one for himself and one for his wife. The governor's monument was set up in his birthplace of Tyler County, West Virginia. Mrs. Underwood's was erected in Calhoun County, West Virginia, the place of her birth. The inscription on each monument reads: "They gave their lives in service to others and their bodies at death to science."
The Underwood's ashes are interred in Spring Hill Cemetery in Tyler County, West Virginia, a short distance from the Underwood family farm.
Hovah Hall Underwood was born in Grantsville, West Virginia on April 12, 1919, the daughter of Roche Hall and Theodocia Betts Hall.
She graduated in 1937 from Calhoun County High School. She earned an AB degree from Salem College and later a degree in social work from West Virginia University. She went on to teach at Grantsville Grade School. During World War II she worked in a defense plant.
She met Cecil Underwood through her two sisters who were his classmates at Salem College. The couple married on July 25, 1948 in a ceremony held at Knotts Methodist Church in Calhoun County. They would become the parents of two daughters, Cecilia and Sharon; and a son, Craig, born the day after his dad was sworn in as governor in 1957.
Small in stature, Hovah Underwood was well-respected and loved by all despite party affiliations. During her husband's political career, she was the dutiful wife, accompanying Cecil on campaign tours that spanned more than half a century. She would host notable figures such as Richard and Pat Nixon, and the Eisenhower's, to name a few.
When Cecil Underwood made history as West Virginia's youngest elected governor in 1957, Mrs. Underwood was a rather low-key First Lady. Her primary focus was raising her young children in the Governor's Mansion. Forty years later, when her husband once again made history, this time becoming the oldest man elected governor, her role as First Lady was far more active. Comparing prepartions for his 1997 inaugural to that of his first in 1957, Cecil Underwood joked to a television news reporter, "At least this time Hovah isn't pregnant."
Mrs. Underwood, by this time in her late-70's, championed women's and children's issues. She also served with numerous help organizations such as Starting Points, a network of neighborhood resource centers for parents of young children, she was on the board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Cammack Children's Center, Huntington Museum of Art, Marshall University Artist Series, the United Methodist Foundation, and America's Promise, a member of United Methodist Women, Charleston Garden Club, Governor's Mansion Preservation Foundation, Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Kanawha County Republican Women, West Virginia Republican Women, Charleston Women's Club, West Virginia Symphony League, Hadassah of Charleston, Breast Cancer Awareness, Kids Count, American Association of Social Workers and was an avid supporter of Women's Day at the Legislature.
Cecil Underwood left office in January 2001. Longtime residents of Huntington, he and Mrs. Underwood sold their mansion, opting to move permanently to the Charleston condominium they owned to be near their two daughters and grandchildren.
On the evening of September 23, 2004, while dressing to join friends for dinner, Mrs. Underwood suffered a stroke at her Charleston home and was rushed to Charleston Area Medical Center. With her husband and children by her side, she died early on the morning of September 24th. Hovah Hall Underwood was 85.
After his wife's death, Cecil Underwood said that Mrs. Underwood had worried that she would fall ill and be left incapacitated. He added that he was grateful that when the end came, she went quickly and didn't suffer. Mrs. Underwood had requested that her body be donated to medical science. Following her death, the body of Hovah Underwood was taken to the Marshall University School of Medicine, in Huntington, West Virginia.
On September 1, 2006, nearly two years after her death, family and friends gathered to dedicate the Hovah Hall Underwood Children's Home just outside Huntington, West Virginia. It provides a safe haven for children in need of shelter.
Cecil Underwood never fully recovered from his beloved wife's death. He survived her by a little more than four years. He died at the age of 86 on November 24, 2008 at the Charleston home he had shared with Mrs. Underwood. Per his wishes, his body was donated to the Marshall University School of Medicine.
Upon the death of Governor Underwood, he requested that two grave markers be erected--one for himself and one for his wife. The governor's monument was set up in his birthplace of Tyler County, West Virginia. Mrs. Underwood's was erected in Calhoun County, West Virginia, the place of her birth. The inscription on each monument reads: "They gave their lives in service to others and their bodies at death to science."
The Underwood's ashes are interred in Spring Hill Cemetery in Tyler County, West Virginia, a short distance from the Underwood family farm.
First Lady of West Virginina. Wife of Gov. Cecil H. Underwood.
Hovah Hall Underwood was born in Grantsville, West Virginia on April 12, 1919, the daughter of Roche Hall and Theodocia Betts Hall.
She graduated in 1937 from Calhoun County High School. She earned an AB degree from Salem College and later a degree in social work from West Virginia University. She went on to teach at Grantsville Grade School. During World War II she worked in a defense plant.
She met Cecil Underwood through her two sisters who were his classmates at Salem College. The couple married on July 25, 1948 in a ceremony held at Knotts Methodist Church in Calhoun County. They would become the parents of two daughters, Cecilia and Sharon; and a son, Craig, born the day after his dad was sworn in as governor in 1957.
Small in stature, Hovah Underwood was well-respected and loved by all despite party affiliations. During her husband's political career, she was the dutiful wife, accompanying Cecil on campaign tours that spanned more than half a century. She would host notable figures such as Richard and Pat Nixon, and the Eisenhower's, to name a few.
When Cecil Underwood made history as West Virginia's youngest elected governor in 1957, Mrs. Underwood was a rather low-key First Lady. Her primary focus was raising her young children in the Governor's Mansion. Forty years later, when her husband once again made history, this time becoming the oldest man elected governor, her role as First Lady was far more active. Comparing prepartions for his 1997 inaugural to that of his first in 1957, Cecil Underwood joked to a television news reporter, "At least this time Hovah isn't pregnant."
Mrs. Underwood, by this time in her late-70's, championed women's and children's issues. She also served with numerous help organizations such as Starting Points, a network of neighborhood resource centers for parents of young children, she was on the board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Cammack Children's Center, Huntington Museum of Art, Marshall University Artist Series, the United Methodist Foundation, and America's Promise, a member of United Methodist Women, Charleston Garden Club, Governor's Mansion Preservation Foundation, Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Kanawha County Republican Women, West Virginia Republican Women, Charleston Women's Club, West Virginia Symphony League, Hadassah of Charleston, Breast Cancer Awareness, Kids Count, American Association of Social Workers and was an avid supporter of Women's Day at the Legislature.
Cecil Underwood left office in January 2001. Longtime residents of Huntington, he and Mrs. Underwood sold their mansion, opting to move permanently to the Charleston condominium they owned to be near their two daughters and grandchildren.
On the evening of September 23, 2004, while dressing to join friends for dinner, Mrs. Underwood suffered a stroke at her Charleston home and was rushed to Charleston Area Medical Center. With her husband and children by her side, she died early on the morning of September 24th. Hovah Hall Underwood was 85.
After his wife's death, Cecil Underwood said that Mrs. Underwood had worried that she would fall ill and be left incapacitated. He added that he was grateful that when the end came, she went quickly and didn't suffer. Mrs. Underwood had requested that her body be donated to medical science. Following her death, the body of Hovah Underwood was taken to the Marshall University School of Medicine, in Huntington, West Virginia.
On September 1, 2006, nearly two years after her death, family and friends gathered to dedicate the Hovah Hall Underwood Children's Home just outside Huntington, West Virginia. It provides a safe haven for children in need of shelter.
Cecil Underwood never fully recovered from his beloved wife's death. He survived her by a little more than four years. He died at the age of 86 on November 24, 2008 at the Charleston home he had shared with Mrs. Underwood. Per his wishes, his body was donated to the Marshall University School of Medicine.
Upon the death of Governor Underwood, he requested that two grave markers be erected--one for himself and one for his wife. The governor's monument was set up in his birthplace of Tyler County, West Virginia. Mrs. Underwood's was erected in Calhoun County, West Virginia, the place of her birth. The inscription on each monument reads: "They gave their lives in service to others and their bodies at death to science."
The Underwood's ashes are interred in Spring Hill Cemetery in Tyler County, West Virginia, a short distance from the Underwood family farm.
Hovah Hall Underwood was born in Grantsville, West Virginia on April 12, 1919, the daughter of Roche Hall and Theodocia Betts Hall.
She graduated in 1937 from Calhoun County High School. She earned an AB degree from Salem College and later a degree in social work from West Virginia University. She went on to teach at Grantsville Grade School. During World War II she worked in a defense plant.
She met Cecil Underwood through her two sisters who were his classmates at Salem College. The couple married on July 25, 1948 in a ceremony held at Knotts Methodist Church in Calhoun County. They would become the parents of two daughters, Cecilia and Sharon; and a son, Craig, born the day after his dad was sworn in as governor in 1957.
Small in stature, Hovah Underwood was well-respected and loved by all despite party affiliations. During her husband's political career, she was the dutiful wife, accompanying Cecil on campaign tours that spanned more than half a century. She would host notable figures such as Richard and Pat Nixon, and the Eisenhower's, to name a few.
When Cecil Underwood made history as West Virginia's youngest elected governor in 1957, Mrs. Underwood was a rather low-key First Lady. Her primary focus was raising her young children in the Governor's Mansion. Forty years later, when her husband once again made history, this time becoming the oldest man elected governor, her role as First Lady was far more active. Comparing prepartions for his 1997 inaugural to that of his first in 1957, Cecil Underwood joked to a television news reporter, "At least this time Hovah isn't pregnant."
Mrs. Underwood, by this time in her late-70's, championed women's and children's issues. She also served with numerous help organizations such as Starting Points, a network of neighborhood resource centers for parents of young children, she was on the board of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Cammack Children's Center, Huntington Museum of Art, Marshall University Artist Series, the United Methodist Foundation, and America's Promise, a member of United Methodist Women, Charleston Garden Club, Governor's Mansion Preservation Foundation, Daughters of the American Revolution, Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Kanawha County Republican Women, West Virginia Republican Women, Charleston Women's Club, West Virginia Symphony League, Hadassah of Charleston, Breast Cancer Awareness, Kids Count, American Association of Social Workers and was an avid supporter of Women's Day at the Legislature.
Cecil Underwood left office in January 2001. Longtime residents of Huntington, he and Mrs. Underwood sold their mansion, opting to move permanently to the Charleston condominium they owned to be near their two daughters and grandchildren.
On the evening of September 23, 2004, while dressing to join friends for dinner, Mrs. Underwood suffered a stroke at her Charleston home and was rushed to Charleston Area Medical Center. With her husband and children by her side, she died early on the morning of September 24th. Hovah Hall Underwood was 85.
After his wife's death, Cecil Underwood said that Mrs. Underwood had worried that she would fall ill and be left incapacitated. He added that he was grateful that when the end came, she went quickly and didn't suffer. Mrs. Underwood had requested that her body be donated to medical science. Following her death, the body of Hovah Underwood was taken to the Marshall University School of Medicine, in Huntington, West Virginia.
On September 1, 2006, nearly two years after her death, family and friends gathered to dedicate the Hovah Hall Underwood Children's Home just outside Huntington, West Virginia. It provides a safe haven for children in need of shelter.
Cecil Underwood never fully recovered from his beloved wife's death. He survived her by a little more than four years. He died at the age of 86 on November 24, 2008 at the Charleston home he had shared with Mrs. Underwood. Per his wishes, his body was donated to the Marshall University School of Medicine.
Upon the death of Governor Underwood, he requested that two grave markers be erected--one for himself and one for his wife. The governor's monument was set up in his birthplace of Tyler County, West Virginia. Mrs. Underwood's was erected in Calhoun County, West Virginia, the place of her birth. The inscription on each monument reads: "They gave their lives in service to others and their bodies at death to science."
The Underwood's ashes are interred in Spring Hill Cemetery in Tyler County, West Virginia, a short distance from the Underwood family farm.
Inscription
They gave their lives in service to others and their bodies at death to science."
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