Mabel Joy Hood

Mabel Joy Hood was born in Denver, Missouri on January 6, 1930 to Wray and Mabel Parker and passed away on June 20, 2024. She was the middle child of five, with two older and two younger brothers. Glenn Parker, her surviving brother, is from Colorado. She was preceded in death by brothers Gene, Bob, and Raymond Parker.

Joy married Donnis L. Hood, her high school sweetheart, on September 12, 1948 in Pickering, Missouri. They have two daughters, Donna (Danny) of Parkville, Missouri and Darla (Dave) of Dearborn, Missouri. They have four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Joy worked for a short time in Pickering's grocery store while her husband was overseas with the army. After his return she began her lifelong passion of being a homemaker, mom, grandma and great-grandma. She loved family events and holidays, planning many a Sunday afternoon family picnic or holiday get-together with her folks and all the extended family.

Joy enjoyed sewing (even making prom formals for the girls) and needlework (many family members were honored with one of her many beautifully cross-stitched quilts), square dancing, church activities, bowling on various leagues, cooking and baking, playing cards and board games, reading, watching the Royals, visiting the lake house on the Lake of the Ozarks where she hosted many friends who enjoyed fishing, boating, and just relaxing – even though she was not fond of being on the water. She and Don enjoyed traveling across the US by car, often stopping to visit friends and family along the way. They also enjoyed a number of cruises, departing out of the southern states. Later in life, she loved her weekly coffee with her friends and cherished visits from family and friends. Even though she was a quiet lady and small in stature, she cared deeply for her family and friends and had a quick sense of humor even into her 90's.

We will always carry your memory and love in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made at Heaton Bowman to Gower Convalescent Center or Huffman Memorial United Methodist Church.