Hovah Hall Underwood
Encyclopedia
Hovah Hall Underwood was an American
from West Virginia
. 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.
. During her schooling, she became an accomplished musician, playing the piano and saxophone fluently and later giving private lessons. She graduated in 1937 from Grantsville High School.
She graduated with an A.B. Degree
from Salem College
in Salem, West Virginia
, and a Certificate in Social Work from West Virginia University
. Underwood went on to teach at Grantsville Grade School, later working at a defense plant during World War II
before serving ten years as a child welfare employee.
While at Salem College, she met her future husband, Cecil H. Underwood
, through her two sisters when they were classmates. They were wed on July 25, 1948 at Knotts Methodist Church in Grantsville.
Underwood served as first lady to her husband who was Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. She supported and assisted with a variety of causes, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
, the Huntington Museum of Art
, Marshall University
Artist Series, the United Methodist Church Foundation, and America's Promise
. 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.
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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
from West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. She was a Methodist. She was the wife of former Governor of West Virginia Cecil H. Underwood
Cecil H. Underwood
Cecil Harland Underwood was an American Republican Party politician from West Virginia, known for the length of his career. He was the 25th and 32nd Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. He ran for reelection in 2000 but was defeated by Bob Wise...
and served as that state's First Lady
First Lady
First Lady or First Gentlemanis the unofficial title used in some countries for the spouse of an elected head of state.It is not normally used to refer to the spouse or partner of a prime minister; the husband or wife of the British Prime Minister is usually informally referred to as prime...
1957-1961 and 1997-2001.
Biography
Hovah Hall Underwood was born on April 12, 1919 in Grantsville, West VirginiaGrantsville, West Virginia
Grantsville is a town in Calhoun County, West Virginia, in the United States. The population was 565 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Calhoun County. The town was established along the Little Kanawha River in 1865 and named for Ulysses S. Grant...
. During her schooling, she became an accomplished musician, playing the piano and saxophone fluently and later giving private lessons. She graduated in 1937 from Grantsville High School.
She graduated with an A.B. Degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
from Salem College
Salem International University
Salem International University is an American private university located in Salem, West Virginia, in the United States...
in Salem, West Virginia
Salem, West Virginia
Salem is a city in Harrison County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 2,006 at the 2000 census. It is located at the junction of U.S. Route 50 and West Virginia Route 23; the North Bend Rail Trail passes through the city...
, and a Certificate in Social Work from West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
. Underwood went on to teach at Grantsville Grade School, later working at a defense plant during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
before serving ten years as a child welfare employee.
While at Salem College, she met her future husband, Cecil H. Underwood
Cecil H. Underwood
Cecil Harland Underwood was an American Republican Party politician from West Virginia, known for the length of his career. He was the 25th and 32nd Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. He ran for reelection in 2000 but was defeated by Bob Wise...
, through her two sisters when they were classmates. They were wed on July 25, 1948 at Knotts Methodist Church in Grantsville.
Underwood served as first lady to her husband who was Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001. She supported and assisted with a variety of causes, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America is a 501 non-profit organization whose mission is to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that try to have a measurable impact on youth....
, the Huntington Museum of Art
Huntington Museum of Art
The Huntington Museum of Art is an art museum located in the hills above Ritter Park in Huntington, West Virginia. It is the largest art museum between "Cincinnati, Pittsburgh and Richmond" and contains numerous collections, exhibitions, education programs and nature trails that sprawl on a campus...
, Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
Artist Series, the United Methodist Church Foundation, and America's Promise
America's Promise
America's Promise — The Alliance for Youth is a foundation founded by Colin Powell in 1997 to help children and youth from all socioeconomic sectors in the United States.In late April 1997 Presidents Bill Clinton, George H. W...
. She was a member of various organizations, including Daughters of the American Revolution
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence....
, Governor's Mansion Preservation Foundation, West Virginia Symphony League and the American Association of Social Workers.
She died on September 24, 2004, aged 85, from complications of a stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
. Her body was donated to Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
's Joan C. Edwards
Joan C. Edwards
Joan C. Edwards was a New Orleans jazz singer and well-known West Virginia-based philanthropist.- Biography :Born Joan Cavill in London, England, she moved to New Orleans at the age of four...
School of Medicine.