James Randolph "Randy" Hood

James Randolph “Randy” Hood, 83, passed from this life on Sunday morning, September 8 ^th , 2019, at the Craighead Nursing Center due to complications caused by vascular dementia. Randy was born in Lake City, Arkansas, on June 19 ^th , 1936, and has spent his life in Craighead County. After serving in the military during the Korean Conflict, Randy married Jackie Culbreath on June 22 ^nd , 1958. They moved to Jonesboro that same year and have lived here since. He began working for International Harvester working in the parts department and selling tractors, and by the mid-1960s, he worked for International Mineral and Chemical Company selling agricultural supplies. He spent some time working for Central Chevrolet, but he worked most of his life for Shelter Insurance, starting in 1972 and retiring in 2005.

Since 1958, Randy has been an active member of Central Baptist Church, serving as deacon and trustee at different times. He sang in the choir and loved greeting visitors. He was also involved in various organizations in his community including the Downtown Jonesboro Rotary Civic Club and the Masonic Lodge. Randy loved spending time with his family, particularly his three grandsons. He also enjoyed duck hunting, fishing and spending Friday nights with his best friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, James and Gladys Hood; his brothers, Gerald and Tommy; and his sister, Elizabeth Ann.

He is survived by his wife, Jackie; his daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Lowery and Teresa Beck; his three grandsons, Stephen, David, and Chris; his brothers, Donald and Terry; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, September 11 ^th from 12:30-2:30 at Emerson Funeral Home, followed by a funeral service at 2:30 with Mike Martin and Larry Bailey officiating and Emerson Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Burial will follow at Jonesboro Memorial Park.

Honorary pallbearers are Preston and Glenda Cheatham, Harry and Cathy Harrell, Bob and Liz Harrison, Ron and Donna Hatley, Curt and Mary Ann Hodges, Don and Pat Long, Ed and Joan Mason, and Lee and Saundra Spears. Pallbearers are friends of the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be given to the Alzheimer’s Association for dementia research. Follow this link for giving: https://alzfdn.org/support-us/donate/, or use this address for checks: Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8 ^th Avenue, 16 ^th Floor, New York, NY 10001. To sign an online guestbook, go to emersonfuneralhome.com.