Mary Frances Hood, 84, passed away on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Emory St. Joseph's Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia.

Frances was born in Newnan, Georgia, on March 19, 1942, to Linnie Pearl (Merrell) Luker and Horace Luker. She grew up in Goodwater, Alabama, where her parents operated an International Harvester Dealership. After graduating from Goodwater High School, she attended and graduated from Howard University in Homewood, Alabama (now Samford University).

She eventually made her way to Carrollton, Georgia, where she began her career teaching first grade at College Street School. It was there that she made lifelong friends, including Linda Kiser, and met and married her husband, Joseph Walter (J.W.) Hood. Frances later earned her Master's degree from West Georgia College. She went on to teach at Oak Mountain Academy for several years and ultimately retired from Burnett Elementary School in Douglasville, where she taught Title I Reading.

Deeply dedicated to education, Frances also found great joy in teaching reading and GED preparation during the evenings at West Georgia Technical School. In addition to her career in education, she served as the bookkeeper for the family business, Ridgeview Mobile Home Park, for over 10 years. She and J.W. raised their three children-Joe, James, and Paul-in the brick house on Shadow Lane, before later moving to Stewart Street in Carrollton, where she resided for over thirty years. Frances was deeply devoted to God and her faith; she was a longtime member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, ensuring her family was involved in most Sunday Services and Wednesday Bible studies. Frances left a lasting impact on her many fellow teachers, friends, and family in the Carrollton community. She is greatly loved and will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Frances is survived by her sons, Joe (Renee) Hood, James (Candace) Hood, and Paul Hood; her sisters, Ann Luker Daniel and Doris Luker Needham; her grandchildren, Jacob, Kathryn, Tyler, Lucas, and Aaron; and her niece, Lauren, and nephew, Lance.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, J.W. Hood, her parents, and her brother, Merrell.

Funeral services for Frances will be held on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Tabernacle Baptist Church, with Dr. Stephen Allen officiating. Interment will follow at Pleasant View Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:00 PM until 1:30 PM.

Messages of condolence may be shared with the family at www.martin-hightower.com. Martin & Hightower Heritage Chapel is honored to serve the Hood family.