Hovah Hall Underwood

Hovah Hall Underwood (April 12, 1919 – September 24, 2004) was an American from West Virginia. She was a Methodist.^[1][2] She was the wife of former Governor of West Virginia Cecil H. Underwood and served as that state's First Lady during 1957-1961 and 1997-2001.

Hovah Hall Underwood was born on April 12, 1919, in Grantsville, West Virginia.^[1][2] During her schooling, she became an accomplished musician, playing the piano and saxophone fluently and later giving private lessons. She graduated in 1937 from Grantsville High School.^[2]

She graduated with an A.B. Degree from Salem College in Salem, West Virginia, and a Certificate in Social Work from West Virginia University.^[1][2] Underwood went on to teach at Grantsville Grade School, later working at a defense plant during World War II before serving ten years as a child welfare employee.^[1][2]

While at Salem College, she met her future husband, Cecil H. Underwood, through her two sisters when they were classmates.^[2] They were wed on July 25, 1948, at Knotts Methodist Church in Grantsville.^[2]

Underwood served as first lady to her husband who was Governor of West Virginia from 1957 until 1961 and from 1997 until 2001.^[3][4] She supported and assisted with a variety of causes, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Huntington Museum of Art, Marshall University Artist Series, the United Methodist Church Foundation, and America's Promise.^[1][2] She was a member of various organizations, including Daughters of the American Revolution, Governor's Mansion Preservation Foundation, West Virginia Symphony League and the American Association of Social Workers.^[1][2]

She died on September 24, 2004,^[5][2] aged 85, from complications of a stroke.^[6] Her body was donated to Marshall University's Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine.^[7]