Hovah Hall Underwood

Background

Hovah Hall Underwood was born on April 12, 1919, in Grantsville, West Virginia.

Education

She graduated in 1937 from Grantsville High School. She graduated with an Bachelor of Arts Degree from Salem College in Salem, West Virginia, and a Certificate in Social Work from West Virginia University.

Career

She was a Methodist. She was the wife of former Governor of West Virginia Cecil H. Underwood and served as that state"s First Lady 1957-1961 and 1997-2001. Underwood went on to teach at Grantsville Grade School, later working at a defense plant during World World War II before serving ten years as a child welfare employee. They were wed on July 25, 1948, at Knotts Methodist Church in Grantsville.

She died on September 24, 2004, aged 85, from complications of a stroke.

Her body was donated to Marshall University"s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.

Achievements

• During her schooling, she became an accomplished musician, playing the piano and saxophone fluently and later giving private lessons.

Membership

She was a member of various organizations, including Daughters of the American Revolution, Governor"s Mansion Preservation Foundation, West Virginia Symphony League and the American Association of Social Workers.