LaVerta Florence Hood was born at Cook County Hospital, in Chicago, Illinois, on January 1, 1936. She was the first born daughter to Elbert Franklin and Osie Lee Waters. LaVerta was raised and schooled in Chicago until her family relocated to Baldwin Michigan in 1947. In Baldwin, LaVerta attended Yates Elementry, and Baldwin High School. LaVerta then met the love-of-her-life, Elmer R. Hood, Jr. and was united in Holy Matrimony on February 4, 1952. From this union six children were born: four sons and two daughters. LaVerta was a loving and devoted wife and mother, and always had a strong belief and faith in the Lord. She was known for her caring, loving, warm, gentle, and caring spirit. She embraced all that crossed her path with a loving touch, or simply words of encouragement. She truly exhibited and lived a life of showing unconditional love. She was known to others as Momma Hood , Bertie , as her mother would refer to her, and simply Aunt Bert . She will be fondly remembered by her love, hilarious sense of humor, and her attentive care and compassion for others. LaVerta, at the age of 78, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 28, 2014. She leaves to cherish her memory: her loving husband, of 62 years, Elmer Richard Hood, Jr.; four sons, Julian Raymond Hood, Elmer Richard (Renee) Hood, II, Ronald Andre Hood, and Marion Stanley (Tonie) Hood; two daughters, Debra Denise Garrett and Karen France Hood; siblings, Franklin Albert (Monica) Waters, Madison Levi(Ruth) Waters, Byron Harrison Waters, and Mahaley Georgia (Donald) Fogg; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, brothers and sisters-in-law, a cousin, and a host of loved ones and friends. She will be greatly missed. Mrs. Hood will lie in repose Monday February 3, 12-7pm at Riley Funeral Home, 426 West St. Joseph St., Lansing, MI 48933. Funeral services for Mrs. Hood will be held Tuesday February 4, 12pm at Union Missionary Baptist Church,500 South Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Lansing, MI 48915. Memories and condolences may be left at rileyfuneralhome.com.