Obituary of Hazel Hooper

Hazel Mayes Hooper, 86, died at the Nursing Center at Oak Summit in Winston-Salem, N. C. on Monday, November 24. A longtime resident of Elizabeth City she moved to Winston-Salem following the death of her husband four years ago, living first with her daughter, then at Brighton Gardens for approximately 3 years and more recently at the Nursing Center at Oak Summit following a stroke. She was born on December 27, 1916 in Norfolk County, Virginia to the late Edward Wallis Mayes and Estelle Jarratt Mayes. She spent her early years in Hertford, N.C. Following graduation from Perquimans High School she attended Mrs. Johnson’s School of Shorthand in Norfolk, VA, and then was employed as a secretary to Mr. J.C. Blanchard, proprietor of Blanchard’s in Hertford. There she met her future husband, ‘Mickey’ when he made his rounds as a salesman. After their marriage they moved to Elizabeth City where she eventually became a partner in J.A. ‘Mickey’ Hooper Company, a fishing tackle, office supply and paper products business serving Northeastern North Carolina and the Outer Banks. While working in the business she found time to raise three daughters and be an involved grandmother when needed. Mrs. Hooper was a faithful member of Blackwell Memorial Baptist Church where she served in numerous capacities including Primary Sunday School Superintendent, Baptist Women’s President, and as a member of the bell choir for over 20 years. In her retirement she taught in the Adult Literacy Program and was active in Meals on Wheels. She was a published poet who was awarded the N.C. Federation of Women’s Club Albert C. Berry Cup for Best Narrative Poem in 1947. She studied at Elizabeth City State University and was an active member in the North Carolina Poetry Society serving as the honorary chairman of the Spring Poetry Symposium at the College of the Albemarle in 1999. She enjoyed spending time at the family beach home on the Outer Banks. Preceding her in death are her husband of 59 years, Julian A. ‘Mickey’ Hooper, and three sisters, Kathleen Bass, Edna Mayes and Wally Jarvis. Survivors include three daughters: Nancy Hooper Gwyn and husband Paul of Winston-Salem, NC, Jane Hooper Sprague and husband David of Blacksburg, VA, and Alice Hooper Moore Collins of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.; five grandchildren: Ted Moore and wife Julie of Jacksonville, FL, Tom Moore of Kill Devil Hills, NC, David Gwyn and wife Lisa of Raleigh, NC, Kelly Gwyn Diamond and husband Jeff of Bethesda, MD, and Marya Gwyn Upchurch and husband Charles of Charlotte, NC; and seven great-grandchildren: Christopher and Haley Moore, Aydlett and David Gwyn, Jr., Evan and Brian Diamond, and Harris Upchurch; a sister Margaret Mayes Holt and husband Leslie of Mobjack, VA, a brother Edward Wallis Mayes, Jr. and wife Ann of Virginia Beach, VA; and many nieces and nephews. The funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 29 at Twiford Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, Elizabeth City with the Reverend Dr. Bob Crisp officiating. Burial will be in the New Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home an hour before the service. Memorial donations may be made to the Blackwell Memorial Baptist Church, 700 North Road Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909 or to COA Foundation, Basic Skills Gift Account/Learning Center, P.O. Box 2317, Elizabeth City, NC 27906-2327. To sign the online register, please visit www.twifordfh.com.