Birth date: Dec 6, 1937 Death date: Apr 13, 2024
Shirley Smith Hood, 86, of Lakeland, beloved wife, mother, sister-in-law, grandmother, and friend, passed into the loving arms of her Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, April 13, 2024. Shirley was born on December 6, 1937, in Orlando Read Obituary
Dearest cuson you and Cliff will be dearly missed. We take comfort in knowing you are in the place of no pain no hunger with our Lord and Savior.
Shirley was the best sister-in-law anyone could have - she was caring, kind, fun, creative, gracious and loving. I shared many good times with Cliff and Shirley over the years, especially after I retired in 2008. Before I retired we traveled to Hawaii together for a week and then they took a week cruise around the islands while I flew home to go back to work. We also took a 2 week vacation together to Alaska - one week on land and one week on a cruise. You will see by the pictures I posted, the Alaska trip had gorgeous views. The best trip we took together was a 3 week trip to the Rockies. I pulled a travel trailer and they had a motor home. We used my car for sightseeing. We started our trip at the tourist attractions at Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse before we got to the National Parks. After those beautiful places we stayed in the 4 Rockies national parks - Glacier, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Rocky Mountain Park. Shirley made friends so easily and she/we talked to other campers everywhere we went. The landscapes and wildlife were more than I ever imagined - we laughed and shared good times at all of them. Shirley was known by everyone for taking pictures to commemorate all gatherings and she took a lot of pictures on the trip to fill her annual photo albums she started the first year she and Cliff were married. She filled a specially made bookcase with 5 shelves of picture albums that were frequently pulled out over the years to reminisce about past gatherings. In addition to her picture taking, Shirley loved gardening and, to my surprise, pulling weeds!!! She could frequently be found on her hands and knees trying to get every weed out of the garden or grass. Lastly, Shirley loved to entertain and participate in her frequent card playing outings with her friends. Her entertaining skills were on full display when she and Cliff bought a park model in Hayesville, NC which they stayed in during the summer season. Their unit was one of the main gathering place for the residents in Sundowner RV Village. My travel trailer was next door to their park model and Shirley cooked most of my meals when I would visit for 2 and 3 weeks at a time. Many evenings she would be entertaining a group of residents for food and fun. I miss Cliff and Shirley but know they are together and that's where they wanted to be.
Shirley will be missed by all who knew her. A beautiful lady in a wonderful family.
