Mr. Leroy Hood Jr., 92, of Charlotte NC departed this life on Friday, December 15, 2023, at Presbyterian Medical Center.

Leroy Hood, Jr., son of Leroy and Amanda (Cousart) Hood, Sr., was born July 6, 1931, in Union County, North Carolina.  He passed away on Friday, December 15, 2023, at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.  He was 92.

When Leroy was only two months old, his mother Amanda died suddenly.  His father, Leroy Hood, Sr., then married Leona Jordan Hood, however, Leroy was raised by Amanda's mother, Sallie (McKinney) Cousart.  Leroy Jr. attended the public schools of Union County.

Leroy enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in the Korean Conflict until he was honorably discharged on August 22, 1950.  Leroy then enlisted in the U.S. Army and served a tour in Germany.  Sergeant Hood received an honorable discharge in 1956.

After his military service, Leroy lived in Charlotte, until 1961, when he moved to Queens, New York City, to pursue a career.  There he attended a trade school and studied heating and plumbing.  Later, he owned his own business, which he called L. Hood Heating.  For 20+ years, he worked as a plumber/electrician and handyman. He trained his employees, and he was well-liked by them.

Leroy married twice.  In 1950, he married Effie Wallace, and in 1994, he married Cecelia Blount.  Leroy lived in Queens with his wife Cecelia and his daughter Zanida "Nina" Scott until 2004, when they moved to Charlotte and bought a home.

In Queens, Leroy was a member and head usher of the Maranatha Baptist Church.  He joined the Masons in New York and became a Master Mason.  In Charlotte, Leroy was a member and Associate Minister of the Grace Memorial Missionary Baptist Church (the church he grew up in).  He also attended and participated in the worship service of the Grier Heights Presbyterian Church.

Leroy enjoyed life to the fullest.  He enjoyed reading his Bible.  He enjoyed talking to people, even strangers, about many different subjects.  He loved to cook, and he was good at it.  He especially liked to cook at family gatherings.  Some of his favorite dishes were his fried fish, banana pudding, and sweet potato pies.  He also loved dining out with family and friends.  Leroy enjoyed playing cards, especially spades.   Fishing was his pride and joy, and he knew a lot of fish stories.

Leroy was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Cecelia Blount Hood; his children, Celialee Hood King, Ronnie Hood, and Katrina Hood; his grandson, Marquis King; siblings, Lester Hood, John Hood, Lois Hood, and Parthenia Hood Hudson; and sister-in-law, Loistine Hood.

Leroy Hood, Jr. is survived by his children, Roy L. Hood (Dorothy) of Spokane Valley, WA, Carlalene Hood King (Guy) of Alexandria, VA, Vernetta Hood Holliman (Larry) of Charlotte, NC, Rickey Hood, of Charlotte, NC,  Maurisa Chase (Ricardo) of Roanoke, VA, Latrisia Johnson (Darryl) of Effort, PA, Zanida "Nina" Scott of Charlotte, NC; his brothers, Odell Hood of Monroe, NC, Ronald Hood (Julia Ann) of Springfield Gardens, Queens, NY, James Hood (Brenda) of Monroe, NC, William Hood of Monroe, NC; his sister-in-law, Barbara Hood of Monroe, NC; his brother-in-law, William Hudson of Monroe, NC; and a host of grandchildren, nephews, nieces, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, and friends.