Van Buren Martin Hood

Van Buren Martin Hood, 38, of Diamondhead died Wednesday, January 11, 2012 in Diamondhead. He attended St. Stanislaus, was a 1991 graduate of Long Beach High School and a 1999 graduate of USM. He was a member of St. Peters By the Sea Episcopal Church, Gulfport and was employed at SAIC in Long Beach. He was preceded in death by his grandmother, Flora M. Taylor; and grandfather, Edwin E. Hood. Mr. Hood is survived by his wife, Kylie Gibbs Hood and daughter, Olivia Grace Hood of Diamondhead; two sisters, Marion Hood Califano of Gulfport and Frances Hood Burch of Diamondhead; his parents, David and Lee W. Hood of Long Beach; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Francis B. Williamson of Memphis, TN; and a niece, Shelby Alexandria Burch of Diamondhead. The funeral service is Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Peters By the Sea Episcopal Church, Gulfport where friends may visit beginning at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be Monday at Woodlawn Cemetery in Mason, TN. The family prefers memorials to Coast Episcopal School, 5056 Espy Avenue, Long Beach, MS 39560 or to Trinity Episcopal Church (Old Trinity), P.O. Box 99, Mason, TN 39049 Attn: Alicia Glover or to St. Peters By the Sea Episcopal Church, 1909 15th Street, Gulfport, MS 39501. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com