Roy Anderson Underwood, Jr.

A Mass of Christian burial for Roy Underwood, Jr., 91, will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024, at St. Jude Catholic Church in Benton, Louisiana. The celebrant will be Monsignor Earl Provenza. Burial will follow at Hill Crest Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be on Sunday, December 15, 2024, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. with the vigil at 7:00 p.m. at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Bossier.

Roy was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on December 5, 1933, to Roy and Marie Underwood, and passed on Saturday, December 7, 2024, in Coppell, Texas. Roy lived most of his life in Bossier City. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 57 years, Nancy Jones Underwood, who he met at Northwestern State University. Roy graduated from Bossier High School in 1953. He earned both his undergraduate and master's degrees at Northwestern State University. Roy proudly served his country in the United States Army as a medic.

Roy began his career in education at Rusheon Junior High School in Bossier City. He went on to teach at Bossier High School, Natchitoches Academy, Elm Grove Junior High, and Parkway High School, where he became an administrator and retired from public education. He also served as principal at Loyola College Prep and Plain Dealing Academy. He used to say that he had never “worked” a day in his life because he thoroughly enjoyed his profession. Roy was always very proud of the young people he taught and coached.

Roy was preceded in death by his father, Roy Anderson Underwood, Sr.; his mother, Marie Gallien Underwood, and his sister, Laura Carolyn (Peaches) Jarrell. He is survived by his son, Roy A. (Spud) Underwood, III, and his wife, Lindeanne of Coppell, Texas, and their children, Travis and Amanda Underwood. He is also survived by his son, Edwin Alan Underwood, and his wife, Joanie Underwood of San Antonio Texas, and Roy’s sister Letha (Speedy) Jones of Bossier City.

Honoring Roy as pallbearers will be Derek Jarrell, Dustin Jarrell, Randy Jarrell, David Jones, Travis Underwood, and Jeff Varnell. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Jack Bice, Curtis Gros, Charles Norcross, Allison Brigham, and Charles Varnell.

Roy's legacy is one of dedication to education, service to his country, and love for his family and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to St. Jude Catholic Church, 4700 Palmetto Rd. Benton LA 71006