Cornelius Hood Jr. Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Cornelius Hood, Jr. was born on September 15, 1942, in Richmond, Virginia to the late Cornelius Hood, Sr., and Virginia Rhem Hood. He accepted Christ as a young man. Cornelius worshipped at St. Marks Church of Christ Disciples of Christ for many years. Cornelius' father sent him to Kinston, North Carolina to live with his paternal grandmother for high school. He graduated from Adkin High School in Kinston. There he met the love of his life, best friend, and high school sweetheart, Cecilie Ann Dudley, which he later married. Cornelius served 30 years and was memorialize as one of the first African American Fireman in the Richmond, Virginia Fire department. “Butch” as his family and friends often referred to him passed this life peacefully surrounded by his family in his home on July 5, 2022, at the age of 79. Despite the sadness of his passing, Butch lived a life of great gratitude and blessings. He loved to fish and sing beautiful melodies with the love of his life Cecilie. Butch had been singing since high school and was member of the schools drama club and choir, and oh boy could he sing! He was so much fun to be around because he had an innate ability to make people laugh, it just came naturally to him. And what an infectious laugh he had. When we talk about the gifts Butch left behind, his eldest daughter Stephanie can attest to a time when he took her out for a drive to show her what the less fortunate side of the world looked like. One vivid memory was of a homeless man dad didn’t hesitate to help and gave money and told her never judge a person down on their luck. Butch was a giver and often gave to family and friends even when he didn’t have much himself. If the term he’ll give you the shirt off his back was a person, it would be Butch. He blessed his children with the gift of giving in a way that we try to make random asks of kindness a part of our life’s routine. He will be missed beyond measure. He leaves to cherish his memory a caring and devoted wife, Cecilie Hood; four children, Reginald Hood (Shirley), Cornelius Hood III (Tina), Stephanie Giles (Mike), and Saron Clifton (Tony); adored grandchildren, Shawn Freeman, Brandon Hood, Michael Giles, Cornelius “Trey” Hood IV and Roman Giles; in-laws, John Dudley (Barbara), Deloris Reddick (Linwood), Henry “Dapp” Dudley, Bishop Alphonso E. Dudley (Deborah), Larry Dudley (Cathy), Ernest Chapman and Herman Aytche; and a host of other relatives and friends. To have touched so many lives bears testament to the fact that his purpose was divine.

Tributes

Cornelius Hood Jr.

September 15, 1942 - July 5, 2022