Lee Hood, front, center, serves as the guest of honor at her recent 103rd birthday party. A 10-year resident of Wellington, family members gather with Hood during the special event at First Baptist Church Family Life Center. Front, from left: Sondra Daniel, of Wellington, honoree Lee Hood, Dianna Hood, of College Station. Middle row, from left: Ashley, Jackson and Ellis Mercer, of Childress; Tracy Carson, of Burleson; Troy Green, of Tatum, N.M.; Karen Morris, of College Station; Phyllis Elkin, of Albuquerque, N.M.; Alisha Scarborough, of Pflugerville; Jan Broom, of Lubbock. Back row, from left: Sheldon Carson, of Burleson; Lyman Daniel, of Wellington; Alton “Boz” Green, of Albuquerque; Gabbi Morris, of Dallas; Lynn Morris, of College Station; Bruce Allen Hood, of College Station; Doug and Cameran Daniel, both of Childress; Robert Scarborough, of Pflugerville. Not pictured: Lynn and Corbin Daniel and A.J. and Judy Johnson, all of Childress; and Eddie Broom, of Lubbock. Courtesy Photo
WELLINGTON – To celebrate Lee Hood’s 103rd birthday, her daughter and son-in-law, Sondra and Lyman Daniel, hosted a pink-themed birthday party. A crowd of around 50 kinfolks and friends arrived from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 28 at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center.
G uests enjoyed strawberry cake, Italian cream cake, salted mixed nuts and pink fruit punch. Situated in a comfortable, high-back armchair, Hood greeted and enjoyed the company of her out-oftown relatives and church acquaintances during the two-hour fellowship.
Despite catching the coronavirus about six months earlier, Hood regained her health, aside from a chronic, deep cough.
As a precautionary measure, she endured a 10-day stay at Collingsworth General Hospital (CGH). One of which her daughter explained was so good that Hood didn’t want to come home due to the pedicures, manicures, hairdressing and special-prepared food and snacks.
In fact, CGH and Parkview Manor Assisted Living Registered Dietician Kendra Allred made daily rounds to take Hood’s menu orders, ensuring she had all the proper nutrition to not only maintain her weight but to gain some as well.
Avid sports fans, Daniel explained that her mother travels well, especially to Childress Lady Cat volleyball games to cheer on her great-granddaughters, Cameran and Corbin Daniel. Just last week, they made the trip all the way to Dimmitt. Growing up, Daniel said she remembers gathering to eat around a card table in front of the television so her mother could watch games.
Born Aug. 17, 1919, at her home 10 miles from Tatum, N.M., Hood maintains her independence at 103 years old. She makes the weekly trip to the beauty shop for haircuts, styles and perms, eats her lunch provided by Collingsworth County Home Delivered Meals and continues to read four weekly newspapers, including “The Sun.”
A champion typist and good at shorthand and spelling, Hood graduated from Tatum High School in 1937. She earned her degree from Draughon’s Business College, located in Lubbock, where she met her future husband. The couple owned a real estate business and raised their family at Bangs, located near Lake Brownwood.
The next to the oldest and the only one still alive, Hood grew up working on the family farm with three brothers and three sisters. She recalls milking the cows and slopping the pigs, as well as playing basketball and baseball and running track.Both of her grandfathers lived to be 92 years old.
In addition to all her siblings, two of Hoods’s three children have died. In her late 80s, she gave up country life and agreed to move in with her son prior to his cancer diagnosis. In 2012, Lee relocated to Wellington to live with Daniel.
An avid Skyrocket fan as well, Hood received the Wellington Professional Women’s Club’s Woman of the Year honor in 2018.
What is Hood’s secret to maintaining her good health, even at 103 years old? Daniel explained that her mother doesn’t take any medications but only vitamins… if she thinks about it. Throughout her life, Hood’s never drank or smoked.
“Mother has always watched her weight,and we’ve always gone to church,” Daniel said.“We have a lot of faith in the good Lord to take care of us.”
