Juanita M. Hooks of Starkville, Mississippi

February 14, 1927 - October 31, 2019

Juanita M. Hooks, age 92, of Starkville, MS, formerly of Columbus, MS, passed away October 31, 2019, at the Beehive Assisted Living in Starkville. Funeral services will be Monday, November 4, 2019, at 11:00 AM in the chapel of Welch Funeral Home of Starkville with Dr. Kennon Vaughn officiating.  Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of the service.  A graveside committal will follow at 2:00 PM at Memorial Gardens Cemetery  of Columbus. Memorial Gunter Peel Funeral Home & Crematory , 2nd Avenue North,  is in charge of services.

Mrs. Hooks was born on February 14, 1927 (Valentine’s Day) to Hugh Henry and Mary Lee Walls in Natchez, Ms., where she grew up the youngest of nine siblings. Before moving to the assisted living complex in Starkville, Ms. Nita was an active member of The First Assembly of God church in Columbus, MS where she served on many of the church’s women’s ministries. She and Ralph, her husband of 65 years, worked together in women’s jail ministry for over 20 years at the Lowndes County Detention Center, sharing God’s love and changing lives. Always looking for a way to help others, it has been said of her that “she was the most giving person that anyone would want to meet.” She loved jigsaw puzzles and crosswords, but her greatest joy came from helping those in need. Her heart, her home, and her purse were always open to bless others.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her loving husband Ralph W. Hooks Sr., six sisters and two brothers.

She is survived by her son Ralph W. (Bobby) Hooks Jr. (Beverly) of Starkville, daughter Mary Ann Garrett (Freddy Chasi) of Denver, grandchildren, Amy Weaver, Randolph Jack ((Jamie) Garrett, Kathryn (Kennon) Vaughan, Morgan (Daniel) Trotter, and Mary Lea (Josh) Thornton, and 17 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be James D. Graham, Clyde P. Hollis, Jr., Clay Terrell, Tommy M. Tomlinson, Harry C. Bell, and Bobby E. Tomlinson. Honorary pallbearers will be Robert C. Crigler and W. David Dunn.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38101