Funeral arrangements set for UA's first black student James Hood - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Funeral arrangements set for one of UA's first black students

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L-R: James Hood and Vivian Malone. Source: WBRC file video L-R: James Hood and Vivian Malone. Source: WBRC file video
GADSDEN, AL (WBRC) -

Funeral services have been announced for James Hood, one of the first black students to enroll at the University of Alabama.

Hood's funeral will be held Thursday, Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Gadsden.

Hood wasn't the first black student to graduate from the University of Alabama but his contributions helped open doors for other minorities at the Capstone. He and Vivian Malone tried to enroll at the University in June 1963. They were met at the door by then Governor George Wallace and made famous in what became know as the "stand in the school house door."

The University will honor Hood by ringing Denny Chimes for him Thursday at 11 a.m. Hood was 70 years of age and passed away in his hometown of Gadsden.

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