Services to celebrate the life of Janet Kay Hood will be held on Friday,
December 7, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Christian Center of Mesquite, 4401 E.
Cartwright Road, Mesquite, TX 75181. The family will receive friends in
Arkansas on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Nelson-Berna Funeral Home 4520 N
Crossover Road, Fayetteville, AR 72764 from 5-7 PM and in Texas on Friday
December 7, 2018 at Christian Center of Mesquite from 10-11 AM. Janet went
to be at home with her Lord on Sunday, December 2, 2018 at the age of 68.
Janet Hood, fondly called “GiGi” by her grandchildren, godchildren and many
loved ones, was known by all for her hospitality, grace, and generosity. She
thoroughly enjoyed hosting parties to celebrate people in her life and was
affectionately known for her flavored iced tea. Her steadfastness in work
and saving was fueled by her passion to give. Many missionaries were
supported by her generous gifts throughout her lifetime. Esteemed as a
person of excellent character, numerous family members and friends were
named after her, to honor her.
Janet was born in Dallas, Texas, the daughter of Lerton Clements Goodrich
Jr. and Billie Pearl Morris Goodrich, on January 21, 1950. At an early age,
she discovered her love for music and worshipping the Lord, as well as
desire to work hard and be a giver. Determined to learn how to play piano,
she offered hours of babysitting to the local piano teacher in exchange for
a lesson each week. For an entire year, she practiced on her “keyboard” that
she made from cardboard. At the age of 14, she began working at the local
department store where she diligently saved money to buy her younger brother
and sister new bicycles for Christmas, and eventually, a used upright piano
for her family home.
She taught Sunday school, children’s church, and bible study groups of all
ages throughout her lifetime. Her heart was especially tender towards
individuals with special needs, and she dedicated many years teaching a
Sunday school class for them at First Assembly of God in Mesquite. She
pursued excellence in all things, always with the motivation to honor
Christ—whether her school grades, her career, her family, or the way she
carried herself. She had a deep love and desire to learn God’s Word. Her
favorite scripture passage was Psalm 23, which she learned at age five. She
enjoyed helping her grandchildren to memorize it as well, cultivating the
same love in their hearts for the Lord.
Janet married the love of her life, Lyndon Allen Hood, on June 5, 1971, in
Mesquite, Texas. Together they lived in Dallas, Mesquite, and Paris, Texas
where they worked and raised their family. A stay-at-home mom for her first
decade of motherhood, she began working in downtown Dallas during the middle
80s as a temporary secretary for Western/Sunbelt Savings and Loan. Quickly
earning respect for her incredible work ethic, dedication and leadership
skills, she was promoted numerous times throughout her career there and at
Orix. She was retained and promoted through several company mergers and
lay-offs, always glorifying God for His favor on her life. She retired from
Bank of New York-Mellon (BNYM) as a Vice President in 2016. She ran the
Commercial Escrow Department where she supervised the disbursement of tax
and insurance payments on multiple billions of dollars of commercial real
estate loans. She was deeply admired and respected by many co-workers.
Janet was always faithful to volunteer her time, especially at church. She
served in various capacities as a member of New Life Church in Plano during
the late 80’s- early 90’s and then as a member of Victory Life Church in
Hugo, Oklahoma for nearly 20 years. After her husband went home to be with
the Lord, Janet spent most of her time in Arkansas with her children and
grandchildren. Even though she was fighting tremendous health issues, she
pushed beyond her pain to make new friends, study God’s word, and minister
to her New Heights Church family of Fayetteville.
She was preceded in death by her husband, her mother, her sister and
brother-in-law Shirley and Tom McCurdy, and daughter-in-law Brandi Hood.
Janet is survived by her father, L.C. Goodrich of Talihina, OK; daughter and
son-in-law, Leslie and George Shaw of Fayetteville, AR; son and
daughter-in-law, Jeff and Shanna Hood of Farmington, AR; grandchildren,
Joshua and wife Tirzah Shaw of Philadelphia PA, KayLynne Shaw of
Fayetteville, AR, USMC LCpl. Zachary Allen Hood and wife Isabella Hood of
Oceanside, CA, USMA Cadet Private Samuel Shaw of West Point, NY, and Hannah
Hood of Fayetteville, AR; brother Larry Goodrich of Talihina, OK, brother
and sister-in-law Ricky and Bernetta Goodrich of Talihina, OK, sister and
brother-in-law Denise and Tommy Little of Fort Worth, TX, and a host of
family and friends.
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