Glenn Hood

The family will receive friends and family for Visitation on Thursday, August 26, 2021 from 12:00-2:00pm. The service will be immediately following at 2:00pm. Both Visitation and the Service will be held at Jefferson Memorial, 1591 Gadsden Highway, Birmingham, AL 35235.

Rev. Glenn Allen Hood, servant of Christ Jesus, lover of God’s Word, adoring husband, tender dad, passionate granddad, stepped into eternity on Thursday, August 19, 2021. His faith became sight at 4:41 that morning.

Glenn was born in Birmingham, AL on Saturday, September 13, 1947 to Howard & Pauline Hood. Glenn, and his younger brother Gary were 10 & 8 years old when their dad suddenly passed away. Their mom was determined to raise her boys to be hard working, independent and trustworthy.

Soon after Howard’s death, Pauline started regularly attending West End Christian Missionary Alliance, where Glenn accepted Christ under the influence of Pastor RC Henry. Glenn also often cited his grandfather, Albert Lee Howard, as his spiritual mentor in the absence of his dad.

Glenn’s early days began on the east side of Birmingham where he attended Cunningham Elementary School. After his dad passed away, his mom moved the family to West End. He graduated from West End High School in 1965.

At a young age, Glenn and Gary, would board the city bus for their guitar lessons. A deep love for music began to grow & flourish which Glenn used throughout his life to lead countless people in worship.

Glenn met Alice Marie Gamble at a young age when they both attended East Birmingham Free Will Baptist Church. He often said, “My life wouldn’t have been nearly as enjoyable if I’d never met Carol and Alice.” In the spring of 1967 he asked Alice on their first date to a revival at Maple Street Baptist Church in Tarrant City.

In the late 60’s, each Sunday after service, Glenn, Alice and Bro. Wells (then pastor at East Birmingham FWB Church) were part of a team that went to Irondale where they would host a live broadcast on WLPH radio station complete with worship and a message from God’s Word.

Fifty years ago, 1971, was a great year for Glenn. At 23 years of age, he accepted the pastorate of Center Point Free Will Baptist Church in early September. Shortly thereafter, October 8, Glenn and Alice married at their home church, East Birmingham Free Will Baptist Church. He took her to Gatlinburg, TN for their honeymoon, which became a favorite vacation spot for the family in later years. As soon as they returned home, their church hosted a youth rally, and since that day they have not ceased serving and ministering to others.

Glenn & Alice raised 3 children, Stephanie Lee Wise (North Carolina), Allison Marie Riggs (Oklahoma), & Glenn Allen Hood, Jr (Oklahoma). Glenn used the dedication and work ethic instilled in him by his mother to shelter and raise his family. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family, including driving a delivery truck for a Pepsi-Cola route, Coca-Cola route, painted numerous houses all over Birmingham and its suburbs (a skill he learned from his grandad and cousins affectionately known as The Howard’s), drove a school bus route for Erwin High School and Trussville City Schools, all while pastoring his church at Center Point. He would often study & write sermons late into the evening after a long day’s work. In spite of his heavy work load and numerous responsibilities, his family never suffered or went without him.

On top of multiple jobs, taking kids to cheer practice, volleyball games and basketball games, Glenn was always furthering his education. He began his undergraduate program at Livingston University (now known as The University of West Alabama) and transferred to Jefferson State Community College to receive an Associate of Arts. He received an Associate of Arts in Bible and a Bachelors in Biblical Education from Gwinnett Hall Baptist College in Lawrenceville, GA. From Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga, TN he received a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies and from Columbia International University in Columbia, SC he received a Master of Arts and completed his education in 2015 with a Master of Divinity.

He said of his time in seminary, “It forced me to stay in the Word.” Carol, his sister-in-law once commented how much she benefited from his education.

Glenn and Alice sent their kids to Tabernacle Christian School, and was commended during Allen’s graduation for his faithfulness to Christian education. Glenn always wanted to help his children and make their loads easier. He sent Stephanie and Allison to the Free Will Baptist Bible College in Nashville, TN and Allen to the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Glenn faithfully pastored Center Point Free Will Baptist Church for 47.5 years. There was never a service that he was unprepared. He carefully and rightly handled the Word of God, explaining and teaching in a way that made the hardest of passages easy to grasp and understand.

Through the decades, Glenn served on numerous boards and committees on the local and state level for the Free Will Baptist Denomination. He has served as moderator numerous times for the Cahaba River Association.

In 2019, Center Point FWB was sold to another church. Being a dedicated and determined pastor for so long, he never accepted the word “retirement” and soon began an interim role as pastor of The First Free Will Baptist Church in Montgomery, AL.

During May 2020, Glenn and Alice began visiting Laodicea Free Will Baptist Church in Hanceville, AL because they were having “drive-in” type services due to the pandemic. Laodicea has a deep history with the Gamble family, as Alice’s grandfather helped build the church itself. Shortly thereafter, the pastor approached Glenn and asked if he’d be interested in taking over the pulpit. After careful prayer and consideration, the church voted and he accepted the position. Glenn and Alice both mentioned numerous times how encouraged they have been by the people of Laodicea FWB Church.

Glenn was preceded in death by his dad, William Howard Hood, mom, Pauline Howard Hood, brother, Gary Austin Hood, Father-in-Law, Alfred Clarence Gamble, Mother-in-Law, Evelyn Lee Gamble, Sister-in-Law, Julia Carol Reese and brother-in-law, David Carl Reese.

He is survived by his wife, Alice Marie Hood. Children; Stephanie Wise (Charles), Allison Riggs (Joshua), Allen Hood (Jordan). Sister-in-Law; Cady Hood. Nieces; Rachel Rushing (Brian), Abigayle Hood, Stacy Roberts (Matt). Nephews; Matt Hood, William Hood (Donna), Scott Reese (Kristi), Stephan Reese (Kendra). 11 grandchildren: Emily and Anna Wise, Austin, Andrew, Aiden, Ava & Mary Riggs, Tripp (Glenn Allen Hood III), Ella, Lincoln & Oakland Hood. A loving congregation, a host of pastoral friends and countless other friends and family.

Life Verse: Philippians 4:19 (KJV) - But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen -  Jude 24 & 25