Wilma McCarver Gray Hooker, daughter of the late Gus Whitlow Gray and Keron McCarver Gray, passed away March 22, 2013, in West Point, Mississippi. She was born October 5, 1921, on a farm in Pontotoc County, Mississippi.
In 1939, Wilma Gray graduated from high school in Ecru, Mississippi, where she was chosen Most Beautiful. She married Aron Haywood Hooker of Thaxton, Mississippi, on June 10, 1939, and they were married for over 38 years, only being separated by his service during World War II. They shared a love for their church, their family, and their friends.
Mrs. Hooker was a tireless, fun, generous, involved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her time and talents were always devoted to the activities of her family. She loved to spend her time cooking and gardening, and she will be remembered as one who always warmly welcomed family and friends to her home. Mrs. Hooker affectionately became known as Mema when she became a grandmother. She had a gift for making each of her children, grandchildren, and great–grandchildren believe that they were her favorite.
She was an active member of First Baptist Church of West Point working with Girls’ Auxiliary, Baptist Training Union, and Vacation Bible School. She was a lifelong member of the Order of the Eastern Star, serving as Worthy Matron.
The sentiments of her grandchildren were best expressed as one wrote, “Our beloved Mema passed away, and although we are really sad and already miss her dearly, it’s comforting to know she lived a long, full life, filled with joy, hope, love, and family. Mema is reunited with our Pepa, and for that we rejoice. We will always cherish the good times we had with her, and we are so thankful for the many wonderful years we shared together. No matter where we go and no matter what we do, Mema will always be with us, for we are Mema’s children.”
Mrs. Hooker is survived by her children Dr. Phillip Aron Hooker and wife, Carol of West Point, Elizabeth Gray Hooker Herron and husband, Charles of Meridian, MS, and Wilma Jane Hooker Maxwell of Germantown, TN. She is also survived by grandchildren, Dr. Phillip Aron Hooker, Jr. and wife, Miranda, of Oxford, MS, Andrew Haywood Hooker of Franklin, TN, Shelley Grace Hooker Hemphill of Thompson’s Station, TN, Andrew Newton Rayburn of Oxford, MS, Thomas McCarver Rayburn of Jackson, MS, Shelby Hooker Rayburn of Oxford, MS, Suzanne Patton Herron Helveston and husband, Campbell of Meridian, MS, Elizabeth Ann Herron of Birmingham, AL, Elizabeth Drayton Maxwell Hutton of St. Louis, MO, and Katherine Gray Maxwell of Chicago, IL, and great-grandchildren, Preston and Anna Hooker, Robert Hemphill, Jr., Hart Rayburn, Patton and Collins Helveston, and Hannah, Abby, and Marie Hutton.
Preceding her in death were her husband, Aron Haywood Hooker, parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gus Whitlow Gray, sisters Hilda Gray Tedford, Joyce Gray Baker, Betty Jean Gray, Jamie Keron Gray and brothers Harvey Gray and her twin William Gray.
The visitation will be Monday, March 25, 2013, from 4:00-6:00 pm at Calvert Funeral Home in West Point, MS. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church in West Point with burial in West Point Memorial Garden Cemetery. Pallbearers will be the grandsons and great-grandsons.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, P O Box 704, West Point, MS 39773 or to Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi, 800 Avery Blvd, Suite 100, Ridgeland, MS 39157.
Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.calvertfuneralhome.com
