February 16, 2025, 95, Grantham —

Dolores Sauls Hood, 95, of Grantham, passed away peacefully at Kitty Askins Hospice Center surrounded by her loved ones on Sunday, February 16, 2025. Dolores was a life-long resident of Wayne County, born in Eureka to James Henry Sauls and Lucille Gwaltney Sauls on February 19, 1929. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 76 years, Manfred Jennings Hood and siblings, Carol Sauls Evans, Joyce Sauls Benton, and Melvin Sauls.

After moving to Goldsboro, Dolores attended Walnut Street School for two years. In 1934, she moved to Dudley where she continued her education at Brogden School, graduating in 1947. After attending Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) she married Manfred J. Hood in 1948 and together they had four children.

The Hood family attended Falling Creek Baptist Church for 55 years where Dolores taught the Homemaker’s Sunday School Class for many years. In 2005, they moved their membership to Selah Christian Church in the Grantham Community. Dolores was a loving and generous person who longed to serve and care for others.

Dedicated to her family, Dolores took great concern with the wellbeing of her clan. She kept in close contact with her children and extended family and always made sure they knew she was thinking of them.

For many years, Dolores served with Wayne County’s Democratic Women in Goldsboro. She especially enjoyed the opportunity to play Bridge with her many friends.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 19, 2025 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Selah Christian Church followed by a service to celebrate Dolores’ life at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary with Rev. Patrick Muston and Rev. Michael Burkette Hood presiding. Interment will be in Falling Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Dolores is survived by her sons, Manfred J. Hood, Jr. and wife, Gail, Doug Hood and wife, Carol, and Brad Hood and wife, Elizabeth; daughter, Lou Braithwaite and husband, Gavin; half-sister, Sandra Sauls Pridges; eight grandchildren, twenty-three great grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren.

Flowers are welcome or memorials may be given in Dolores’ memory to Selah Christian Church, 1332 Selah Church Road, Four Oaks, NC 27524.

Services are entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.