She was number 9 of 15 children born to Willie and Fay (Couch) Baker. Being the ninth child is how she came to be named Nina. Sadly, and ironically, she is also the ninth sibling to pass away.
She was the firstborn in Washington State (Manson) after her parents, and older siblings moved from Oklahoma in the spring of 1943. She grew up and attended school in Manson until she met and married her first husband, Richard Morgan as a young adult. They were married in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and then soon after moved to and made their home in Central California. She later married Ron Hood Sr., who preceded her in death in January 1996.
Nina was the family matriarch in the sense that she was the one that could always be counted on to have an answer if you had a question about family and friends. As you can imagine, this was no small task coming from such a large family. Nina was well known for her fantastic skills in the kitchen. She could make a mean-fried chicken and potato salad along with the best-fried egg sandwich known to mankind. Nina was the go-to for a full sheet, fully decorated birthday and celebration cake. She always made everything from scratch!
Nina was also a well-known seamstress. She made a majority of clothes for her daughter Julie up until she was in about 4th grade. She could make a pair of bell-bottoms pants like no other! The wider, the better as far as she was concerned. She also made many a dress for weddings of friends and family over the years. Nina was an avid knitter and crochet-er and did not miss a day of doing her crossword puzzles.
She is survived by her daughter Julie Diaz and her husband Tony, her son Don Morgan, granddaughters Gabby, Savannah, and Mallorie Diaz; and her bonus daughter and son in-law, Violet and Jerry Ibarra, and additional grandchildren Alyssa, Emily, and Ashton.
Nina is also survived by siblings Haril (Lamond) Baker, Flora Wolff, Billy Baker, Lena Simmons, Donna Coggins, and Trisha Morphis, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her parents and siblings Charles “Jake,” Lillie Fay, W.H. “Dub,” Ikey, Alton “Dell,” Ellis, Ira “Arie,” and Clarence “Arland.” In addition to her husband Ron Hood Sr. she was also preceeded in death by her first husband, Richard Morgan.
A graveside service for Nina will be at the Visalia Cemetery, 1300 W Goshen Ave, Visalia 93291, on Friday, April 23, 2021, and you guessed it, 9:00 am.
Reception to follow service at Javi’s Taco Shack, 4109 S Mooney Blvd, Visalia 93277.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.millerchapel.com for the Hood family.
