Alice Camille Hill Underwood of Leighton, Alabama, was born to J. W. Hill and Cecil Gargis Hill on Monday, January 27, 1947, and passed away at her home on September 26, 2024, at the age of 77.
Though her family roots were around Ford City in east Colbert County, Camille grew up in Florence, where her mother ran a boarding house at 520 East Tuscaloosa Street. She attended St. Joseph Catholic School, Appleby Junior High, and Coffee High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Florence State University, now the University of North Alabama, and a master’s degree from the University of Alabama.
When she was 18, she met and married Ernest A. Underwood. They would share 60 years of life together until his death on June 19, 2024. Together they would rear two sons, Chris and Kerry (Bubba).
When she was a child, Camille would walk to First Church of the Nazarene, which met near downtown Florence at the time. It was there that she came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ as the risen Lord. After she and Ernest married, they joined Leighton Baptist Church, where they had been faithful and active members. Camille sang in the choir for many years and taught various women’s Sunday school classes.
Camille taught for 27 years in the Colbert County School System, first at Brick Elementary School, then at Hatton Elementary School. During those years of teaching sixth graders and fourth graders, she made life-long impacts in the lives of children and families. Her passion was language arts. She always said that if a child can read well and with comprehension, he or she can do anything.
Mrs. Underwood was preceded in death by her parents, J. W. Hill and Cecil Gargis Hill, by her husband, Ernest A. Underwood, by a dear first cousin, Thomas Pennington and first cousin Shela Hargett.
She is survived by sons, Chris Underwood (Kelly) of Florence and Kerry “Bubba” Underwood (Anna) of Tuscumbia; by grandson, Walker Underwood; by granddaughters, Christina Underwood and Katie Beth Underwood, by step-granddaughters, Holly Vinson (Tyler), Victoria Devaney (Josh), and Faith Ezzell (Landon); by step-great-grandchildren, Vivianne Vinson, Luke Devaney and Jon Bradford Vinson; by brothers-in-law, McCoy Underwood (Patricia, a first cousin) and Larry Underwood, both of Leighton; by sister-in-law, Wanda Thompson (David), of Tuscumbia; and by numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at Leighton Baptist Church, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Sunday, September 29, followed by funeral service at 3:00 p.m., with Rev. Mark Mayfield and Rev. Scott Price officiating. Interment will be at Glendale Cemetery. Pallbearers are Wesley Burden, Carl Keenum, Knoffery Patterson, Jimmy Pennington, Carson Underwood, Matt Underwood, and Tim Underwood.
Mrs. Underwood’s family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to a large extended family, to the pastor and members of Leighton Baptist Church, to Hospice of North Alabama, to nurse Ginny Dotson, nurse Bonnie Dean, to weekend nurses Jenny Skipworth and Daniel Freemon, and to Dr. Zaman Shah and Dr. Brad McAnalley. Camille was especially blessed by the years of friendship she shared with Mary Alice Underwood and Pat Price. We are so grateful for Mom’s sitters: Kelly Hulsey, Amy Kerby, Clarissa Martin, Danielle McDill, Cindy Orick, Annette Puckett, Amy Williams, and Machelle Williams. Each of you blessed Camille and us with your concern, visits, and acts of love.
Instead of flowers, please consider contributing a financial gift in Mrs. Underwood’s memory to Leighton Baptist Church or a charitable organization of your choice.
Please leave condolences for the family at morrisonfuneralhomes.com.
