Stella Earlene (Fillmore) Hood went to be with her Heavenly Father on February 16, 2023, at Reunion Court assisted living in The Woodlands, Texas. She was 93 years old.

Stella was born on October 16, 1929, to Earl and Melba (Scott) Fillmore in Cushing, Oklahoma. In 2006, at the age of 77, she learned that her birth certificate shows another date. Apparently the doctor who delivered her at the family home had signed her birth certificate with October 15, 1929. So since 2006, she has celebrated TWO birthdays!

In 1946, at the age of 16, she met the love of her life, Amil Hood. They were united in marriage in Sedan, KS on June 4, 1946. From that day forward, Amil took her under his wing and loved and protected her for "53 wonderful years" - as inscribed on their dual headstone.

Stella loved her God and her Bible. But she also loved her life as a homemaker. She took great pride in all aspects of making a happy home for her family. Through many years of experience and self-teaching, she became an accomplished seamstress and tailor. One of her most prized accomplishments was making her daughter Donna's wedding dress. But another skill that Amil was most proud of is that she learned to make custom welding caps for him - using any "wild" fabric he chose. She then tailored each cap to fit him perfectly. Thanks to Stella, he was quite the Dapper Dan among the pipeline welders.

Stella faithfully followed Amil in all his work endeavors. They moved from Cushing to Blackwell in 1957 where Amil worked at Arkla Gas Company. In 1967, after their family was raised, they started their new life of a pipeline welder. They traveled from pipeline to pipeline in a 14' trailer for many years.

The last 10 years of Amil's pipeline work were spent in Traverse City, Michigan. Their son Arnold also worked in this area. Stella and Amil were able to share good times with family there, including the births of their grandchildren Jake and Chelsea. To this day, they both remember those days spent with their grandparents with fondness and love. And since Traverse City is a summer vacation destination, it made for many wonderful vacations for their Oklahoma family and friends. During this time, Stella was pushed to do things that she would never have attempted before. She grew as a person and discovered that she was capable of so much more than she had ever thought.

After 22 years of living "up north," in 1989 Amil and Stella retired and returned to "where it all began" -- Cushing. The ten years of retirement were the happiest years of their married life. Every day was pure joy for them -- being with family and old friends, as well as making many new friends. Stella and Amil loved traveling, gardening, bird watching, playing bridge, and the fellowship at the Senior Citizens' Center. They were both long time members of the First Christian Church. They loved their church family and serving others.

After a courageous battle with cancer, Amil passed away in 1999. Stella started another new chapter in her life. She again discovered that she was capable of doing things on her own that she had never imagined. Fortunately, she was surrounded by the encouragement and love of so many good friends and family.

She became the special long-distance mother, grandmother, and great grandmother to the Texas branch and the Michigan branch of the family. She was able to attend many special events like birthdays, Mother's Day, and Thanksgiving celebrations. But Christmas always had to be in her house. She loved preparing her special Christmas dinner of turkey and dressing. Another Stella Special was her holiday candy-making, especially her Aunt Bill's fudge and her hand-dipped chocolates.

After 16 years of "going it alone" in Cushing, her health began to decline. After much persuasion, she finally accepted that she needed to be closer to family in times of need. In 2015, she moved to the Conservatory Senior Living in The Woodlands, Texas, and close to where Donna & Howard and Kristen & Crispin and Claire live. She enjoyed seven years at the Conservatory, especially the bridge groups and the Bible study groups. She also enjoyed being able to attend Claire's school programs.

As her heart began to give out, she accepted that she needed more assistance. In September, 2022, she moved to assisted living at Reunion Court of The Woodlands. By the end of 2022, it became apparent to all, including her, that the end was near. Lumicare Hospice sent an angel, Nurse Keri, to make her last six weeks of life peaceful and comfortable as she prepared to see Amil again. Stella waited 24 years for that special day when they are re-united, and she can "Stroll over Heaven with You."

Many wonderful "At Your Side" caretakers were in Stella's life for the past two years. But special thanks go to Yolanda, Gabby, Karen and Carmen.

Stella's survivors include one daughter, Donna & Howard Hall of The Woodlands, TX; three grandchildren, Kristen & Crispin Glymph of The Woodlands, Tx; Jake & Alysha Hood, of Traverse City, MI; Chelsea & Eddie Zagunis of Traverse City, MI; 8 great-grandchildren, Claire Glymph, Malorie Hood, Avery Hood, Taylor Hood, Taj Hood, Paxton Boyer, Mila Sarki, and Lux Zagunis; one brother-in-law, Dale Gillespie; and several nieces and nephews.

Stella was preceded in death by her husband, Amil; a son, Arnold; four sisters: Reva Berry, Lida Locke, Rose Gillespie, and Betty Hill; and four brothers: Elmer Fillmore, Clifford Fillmore, Dewey Green, and Harry Green.

Memorial donations may be made to Lumicare Hospice, 2204 Timberloch Place, Ste 185, The Woodlands, TX 77380.

Services have been entrusted to the care of Palmer Marler Funeral Home of Cushing. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 in the Palmer Marler Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 21, 2023 from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Palmer Marler Funeral Home.