T.J. Samson | Foundation Newsletter | Fall 2021

The community mourned the loss of one of its treasures when Virginia Nell Jackson Houchens passed away peacefully at her home on August 29, 2021 at the age of 89. By all accounts, Mrs. Houchens was a kind-hearted, strong, and generous person who loved her family fiercely and who had a servant’s heart. She came from humble roots, and began working at the young age of 15, using her earnings to help support her mother and siblings. She and her husband, Ruel, married in 1951 after the Korean War, where he served in the U.S. Army. She worked in a sewing factory, from which she eventually retired, while he worked his way up the family’s grocery store food chain, starting as a stock boy in his teens and retiring as President and CEO. They didn’t have much early in their marriage, but what they had in abundance was giving hearts. Together, they always made sure if there was a need in the community that they helped to meet it. Their vision was to take care of people, not to have their names on the sides of buildings. Whether it was an employee in need of money or food or help for their family, or a resident in a nursing home having a craving for their favorite Little Debbie cakes, they were always sure to deliver. Mrs. Houchens had a huge giving heart and she loved everyone without judging them. She loved those who were often the hardest to love – the ones who needed it the most. Remembering Nell Houchens Even though they didn’t have children of their own, they were often heard saying they had at least 20 children. There was a special place in their hearts for the youth of the community, and they gave generously to the Children’s Day Fund and to help establish the Boys & Girls Club. Education was important to them, even before education was a nationwide focus. In reality, they probably had no idea how many children’s lives they truly impacted through their generous gifts. While the Houchens name is well known, “Aunt Nell and Uncle Ruel” as their great niece Helena Chase Birdwell refers to them, strongly preferred to stay in the background. Ruel was known for his work with the grocery chain. After his passing in 2010, Mrs. Houchens continued his legacy of giving to projects that would have an impact on the community for generations. She was incredibly supportive of the T.J. Community Mission Foundation and the Shanti Niketan Hospice Home project, becoming the second largest donor to the Hospice Home. From the very first time Mrs. Houchens was approached by Dr. Bharat Mody about the Hospice Home idea, she was all in. Both she and her husband always believed in Dr. Mody’s vision for helping to create a better community. “Her heart was always for making a difference,” Dr. Mody said. “She was my mentor, my guide, and one of the strongest supporters of the charities I have and that I nourish. She felt a great sense of inner joy from helping others.” Mrs. Houchens was able to see and experience the completed Shanti Niketan Hospice Home through the virtual tour that is available online at shantiniketanhospicehome.com . While the facility will help countless families now and into the future, Mrs. Houchens had personal reasons for supporting the project. Her sister passed away in 2000 after a battle with cancer. “There was no Shanti Niketan Hospice Home when my grandmother passed away 21 years ago,” Helena said. “It would have been wonderful to have such a beautiful facility when she was sick.” The T.J. Community Mission Foundation is proud to honor the life and philanthropic work of Mrs. Nell Houchens. Her generosity and the impact she made on the Foundation and the Hospice Home will be felt for generations. Her mission was to take care of other people before herself. Giving to charities was her way of continuing to take care of others.