Earlene (Hood) Morton was born in Homerville, Georgia, on August 2, 1953, to Earl Hood and Veraniece (Renner) Hood. Earlene finished her race on June 27, 2025, at her home among family, after a long battle with cancer and a myriad of other complications.

Earlene Hood Morton was a retired professional caregiver, CNA & CMT with County Home Healthcare, and in several nursing facilities. She served as the union representative for the Birch Tree Nursing Home, standing up for those in service to the residents, to get fair wages and benefits for their work. Caregiving was an occupation that came natural to Earlene as she was exceptional at taking care of others. Starting at a very young age, she took care of her much-loved siblings.

She then married and had two girls that became her pride and joy. After divorcing, she moved to Missouri, where her dad, Earl Hood, lived. She met and married the love of her life, George Morton, in 1978. She fell quickly for George and the way he embraced not only her, but her two girls. Lovingly raising them as his own. She and George spent some time as foster parents, giving a home to many children, both teens and young children. Her love, her care, and compassion didn't just stop with her family either.

Earlene was a perpetual crafter; pouring, painting, and firing ceramics, and painting George's many wood craft creations. Taking their creations to hundreds of craft shows in a variety of places. She also crocheted, quilted and sewed many different kinds of things. Come to think of it, I don't think there was a craft project brought to her that she didn't eagerly take on. If you had a cause and she could help, she was all in.

The love, care, and attention Earlene had for others, especially her husband, friends, and family, is a testament to the truth of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 KJV.

She is survived by her loving husband, George Morton; two daughters, Julie (Joe) Taylor and Judy (Chuck) Wilhelm, and bonus child, Angela (John) Koehn; sisters, Charlotte Lanham, Ann Ford, and Karen 'Lavonne' Lefler; brothers, Laddie Hood, Shane Hood, Mike Hood, and Mark Hood; 11 grandchildren, Jazzymen Williams (Matt), Justin (Heidi) Taylor, Jade (Brian) Burnam, Zachary (Lacey) Wilhelm, Ben (Aaliyah) Wilhelm, Ira Wilhelm, Kyle (Kayla) Koehn, Dylan Koehn, Timothy (Jocelyn) Koehn, Ada (Josh) Struck, Kathy Womack; 17 great-grandchildren, Larissa Corter, Trey Williams, Aleighea Cliburn, Matalyn Cliburn, Jaxsen Cliburn, Ayrian Burnam, Barrett Burnam, Grayson Wilhelm, Paityn Wilhelm, Tailyn Wilhelm, Marilyn Wilhelm, Hadley Koehn, Bentley Koehn, Parker Koehn, Karson Stauffer, Greyson Koehn, Xavier Koehn, and great-grandson to be Briggs Wilhelm; and a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends.

Earlene is preceded in death by her parents, Veraniece Hood and Earl Hood; stepmother, Bertha Hood; bonus mom, Loraine Brower; sister, Phyliss Moore; and brothers, Kenny Hood and Earl Hood Jr.

A family guided celebration of life will be held July 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. at Apostolic Faith Tabernacle, 1403 State Rt. WW, Mountain View, Missouri, 65548. Arrangements were under the direction of Yarber Mortuary, Mountain View. Condolences may be expressed at www.yarbermortuary.com.