[1][2] She was the wife of former Governor of West Virginia Cecil H. Underwood and served as that state's First Lady during 1957-1961 and 1997-2001.
[1][2] During her schooling, she became an accomplished musician, playing the piano and saxophone fluently and later giving private lessons.
[1][2] Underwood went on to teach at Grantsville Grade School, later working at a defense plant during World War II before serving ten years as a child welfare employee.
[1][2] While at Salem College, she met her future husband, Cecil H. Underwood, through her two sisters when they were classmates.
[3][4] She supported and assisted with a variety of causes, including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, the Huntington Museum of Art, Marshall University Artist Series, the United Methodist Church Foundation, and America's Promise.