Phyllis Viola Hood

On June 16, 2026, at the age of 101, Phyllis Viola (Stampe) Hood went home to be with the Lord.

An only child, Phyllis was born in Clinton, Iowa on December 4, 1924, to Peter and Viola Stampe. Baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith, Phyllis excelled in school and graduated 5th in her class from Clinton High School in 1942. She met and married the love of her life, Robert (“Bob” or “RC”), in Clinton in 1945 and together they raised four children (including a set of twins) while relocating a total of 26 times (due to Bob’s 40-year career at IBM) during their married life. While living in Merritt Island, Phyllis graduated from BCC in 1970 and went on to earn a B.A. in Humanities from FTU (now UCF – Go Knights!) in 1974. In addition to being a homemaker and mother, Phyllis gave piano lessons to countless numbers of students and played the organ in her local church and nursing homes. Upon Bob’s retirement in 1987, they travelled the country via camper vans, staying in KOA parks and stopping at garage sales and flea markets along the way. They moved from Round Rock, Texas to Melbourne, Florida in 1998 and a year later lovingly welcomed their first (and only) grandchild. After Bob’s death in 2001, Phyllis was introduced to and fell in love with exciting ports of call via ocean cruising. All the while, Phyllis made new and reunited with her many old friends, held tightly to family, crafted, gardened, played the organ, and studied the Bible both on her own and in study groups. Throughout her life, Phyllis strived to be a faithful servant of the Lord.

Phyllis was preceded in death by her husband, Bob, of 55 years and son Robert (“Rob”); and is survived by her son Richard (Linda) Hood of Melbourne, Florida; daughter Mary Lombardo of Holly Springs, North Carolina; grand-daughter Katelyn Lombardo of Raleigh, North Carolina; and son Norman Hood of Round Rock, Texas.

Visitation will be held on Saturday August 1st beginning at 10:30am at Beckman-Williamson Funeral Home (5400 Village Drive, Viera FL) followed by an 11:00am Celebration of Life service officiated by Chaplain Steve Petty of Mederi CAREtenders Hospice. Following the service, guests are invited to join the family for a luncheon at Faith Viera Lutheran Church (5550 Faith Drive, Viera). Burial of Phyllis’ cremains will be in Clinton, Iowa beside her husband, son, and parents.

In lieu of flowers, donations to God’s Pantry (a 501-3c ministry of Risen Savior Lutheran Church, 2220 Port Malabar Blvd NE, Palm Bay FL 32905) are appreciated. The link will be provided below.

The words by which Phyllis lived her long and blessed life were: I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me. Philippians 4:13 (KJV)