Recently, I officiated at the funeral for Velma Lea Hood, wife of T. R. “Tuff” Hood. while visiting with the family in preparation for the service, I learned that Tuff had written a book. the title of this intriguing easy read is Growing up in the Depression Era in Rural Texas. it came off the press a few days after the funeral and Tuff sent me a copy.
Tuff was born May 29, 1928 in the Topsy community of Coryell County. By the time he was three, his family was living in Oakalla, south of Killeen, then his father bought a ranch and farm in the Cedar Knob community southwest of Belton.
Tuff’s dad shocked his wife when he suddenly sold out and the family leased a desirable piece of nearby property. When the lease was not renewed the family moved to Prairie Dell. the moves were made without the use of U-Haul trailers. With the coming of World War II, the Hoods moved to Killeen.
Tuff, in great detail, describes the life and times of a loving family working together to make a living during the 30s. he paints a vivid picture of what it was like for a family to pitch in from daylight until dark, taking care of immediate needs as well as making preparations for needs to come. Each member of the family was involved, young and old, according to his or her abilities.
The present generation would do well to take a look at what it was like in that day to milk the cows, mend fences, chop and bring in wood for the cook stove and fireplace, take care of livestock, maintain a garden, mend clothing, prepare three meals a day, and on and on it goes. there was no last minute dashing off to Wal-Mart or depending on fast foods for carry out, although Tuff described one business trip into Belton in which the family members making the trip feasted on Wesley Coppin hamburgers and also brought a sack full home for the rest of the family.
Of special interest to me was the fact I kept running into people and places remembered from my own growing up in Killeen.
This review cannot include everything about the Hood story, but I was deeply touched by the Hoods’ strong family ties, their respect for one another, and their constant care extended to each other.
Another thing of interest was how enterprising Tuff was. while home on leave from the Navy, he managed to take a job for several days filling in for a sick employee at a downtown Killeen service station. during that same leave he participated in a Saturday night rodeo in Lampasas along with his younger brother FN. After arriving at the rodeo grounds, Tuff was asked to work the chutes. When the rodeo was over, he was paid $45 for his work, plus his winnings from two events, for a total of $224. he gave his mom $167 before returning to his base in California.
The times were hard and the chores were constant, but there was something wonderful about sitting around the dining table and enjoying meals consisting mostly of homegrown food. there were sacred times of prayer and listening to the Bible being read and of going to church together. there were joys of family gatherings sharing love and encouragement.
Like Tara, in Margaret Mitchell’s novel, that era is gone, but we would do well to reclaim some of its simple values that hold families and society together.
“One generation will commend your works to another.” – Psa. 145:4
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