Resident Spotlight: Lee Todd

A FARM BOY FROM BELLS

Although born in humble circumstances, Lee Todd seemed destined to become a leader. Personal qualities developed during youth were influential in producing those characteristics needed in his varied leadership positions as an adult. The devotion he displays as caregiver to his wife, Merle, indicates a basic quality of empathy and concern for others. 

Lee Todd was born in the front bedroom of a white, frame house on a small and “much diversified” farm near Bells, Tennessee. Engulfed by farm work as a child, Lee says, “I spent a lot of time looking at the rear end of a mule, plowing crops; my least favorite work was picking cotton.” However, the farm in Bells continues today to be Lee’s recreation and “golf course.” 

In high school, Lee opted to enroll in vocational agriculture as an elective– rather than Latin. This choice would have a profound influence on his future, primarily by leading him to membership in the Future Farmers of America (FFA). During Lee’s junior year, he competed in the FFA’s national public speaking contest before 12,000 delegates at their national convention, placing second! Two years later, he became vice-president of the national FFA which provided him with opportunities to speak to various youth and meet notables of industry and politics, including Raymond Firestone, President Dwight Eisenhower, and Alvin York, the most decorated soldier in WW I. 

Following high school, Lee enrolled at the University of Tennessee in Martin, Tennessee with a major in General Agriculture. While there, he served as class president for two years. Due to serving another term as an FFA officer, it was necessary to delay college. However, while waiting to re-enroll, he became involved in a training program offered by the John Deere office in Dallas, Texas. Fatefully, he was introduced by a mutual friend to a student nurse, Merle Rompel. According to Lee, “We met on a ‘very’ blind date; things ‘clicked’ and have been ‘clicking’ for over 62 years!” Merle was born on a Hereford cattle and Angora goat ranch. She grew up with many home and ranch responsibilities which resulted in a strong work ethic. Lee credits Merle as a great factor in the success of their personal lives and careers. Merle fulfilled her dream of becoming a nurse, graduating from Texas Women’s University with a B.S. in Nursing. According to Lee, Merle’s character made her a desired member for future leadership roles in numerous organizations. 

Both Lee and Merle completed their college work and became engaged. However, Lee joined the National Guard and spent the next six months on active duty. They married in December 1961, and Lee accepted a job in advertising sales with The Progressive Farmer magazine in Birmingham, Alabama, a job he held for 11 years. During that time, the couple, with the addition of three children, David, Janet, and Robert, moved to Atlanta, Chicago, and Dallas before finally returning to Memphis for Lee’s job with a different company. While living in Chicago, Merle worked in a hospital owned by the Chicago Mafia. “She could really tell some stories from that job,” remembers Lee. 

The last 20 years of Lee’s career was in Memphis as executive vice-president of the Southern Cotton Ginners Association. This is an association of people who own and operate cotton gins in the five mid-south states. Lee was also completely responsible for their annual show at the Cook Convention Center. The association’s show became the largest indoor farm show in the mid-south. According to Lee, this was the most satisfying job of his career. 

When Lee retired in 2003, he and Merle fulfilled a lifetime dream of traveling to exotic as well as most European countries. This included such places as Iceland, Nepal, Tibet, China, Vietnam, and Burma. When not traveling, they enjoyed visits with their three children and three grandchildren. Their son, Robert, is the closest as he lives on the family farm. Both Lee and Merle stayed involved in and served as leaders in a number of community agencies. Lee served as president of the Memphis Agricultural Club, the local chapter of the National Marketing Association, and as chairman of Agricenter International. Merle was president of the Memphis Cotton Wives and Germantown Women’s Club. 

Because of Lee’s love for his farm, he works on it at least one day a week. Because of his respect of every veteran, each year on Veterans and Memorial Day, Lee goes to Bells and places American flags on each veteran’s grave. He also installed a flag pole and an American flag which flies over the city cemetery. 

In 2017, it became apparent that Merle was beginning to have memory problems. Merle had lovingly cared for their three children and home while Lee was required to spend time away from home due to his work. Now, Lee made the commitment to provide the best possible care for Merle. None of their children lived close by, so Lee was Merle’s only caretaker until he became physically unable to care for her. Having made the decision earlier, they moved to Kirby Pines in 2023. Merle was placed in Job’s Way, and Lee spends most of his day with her, taking her for daily wheelchair rides around the beautiful areas of Kirby Pines 70 acres. “I should have moved here two years ago,” states Lee. “I am pleased with our move and that Merle is receiving the care she needs and deserves.” 

Written by Joan Dodson, Resident of Kirby Pines.