Doris Jean Hooper

Doris Jean Wallace Hooper was born to Lavon Wallace and Amanda Marie Wilkerson on January 1, 1931 in Birome, Texas. The family moved to Springfield, MO where Doris graduated from Central High School in 1949 as class Valedictorian. Doris was a reporter for the school newspaper and was active in debate and drama throughout her high school years. After graduation from high school she entered South West Baptist College and graduated in 1951. While in college she was a member of the debate team and was active in drama. It was at South West Baptist College that she met William [Bill] Loyd Hooper and they were married on August 5, 1951 at Grant Avenue Baptist Church in Springfield, MO, where Doris was a member. They have been blessed with a son, William Loyd Hooper, Jr., and a daughter, Carol Ann Cooper. That marriage was the beginning of an incredible journey. Doris and Bill had no idea where God would lead and how He would use them. From 1953 to 1956 the journey took Doris and Bill to the state of Iowa where Doris taught in the elementary schools of Essex and West Liberty. Doris and Bill returned to Bolivar and South West Baptist College where Bill served as professor of music. The journey continued to Nashville, TN in 1960 where Bill did doctoral study at Peabody College of Vanderbilt University and served a church part-time. During those years Doris was both a dedicated mother for Bill Jr. and Carol Ann and an active church leader. In 1962 Doris and Bill moved to New Orleans, Louisiana for Bill to take a position at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Doris finished her undergraduate degree at the Louisiana State University in New Orleans, majoring in education. Doris taught in the New Orleans public schools where she was the first white teacher to teach in an all-black school when integration was taking place. She also taught in St. Pauls Episcopal School. Doris and the family accompanied Bill to Zambia for a mission assignment in the summer of 1969 followed by a year in England and Bills sabbatical study. In 1974 Doris, Bill, and children moved to England. Doris taught religious education in a boys school in the London Borough of Bromley. When Bill was called as full-time pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church, the family moved to Gravesend, Kent. Doris was a substitute teacher for the state schools in Gravesend. Doris also developed a personal ministry as an inspirational speaker for womens groups in churches and at summer camps for young people. Doris and Bill moved back to Bolivar in 1983 and she continued to serve the Lord by teaching a Sunday School class and being active in the Womens Missionary Union at First Baptist Church. She trained as a teacher of English as a second language and taught English to many wives of overseas students who were attending Southwest Baptist University. Until her bout with Alzheimers Doris was an energetic, out-going person. Doris has been able to live, travel, and work overseas. She has met hundreds of people and has many Christian friends all over the world. Doris has been a wonderful helpmate to Bill. Doris was a sixty-year grace gift from God to Bill and she is greatly missed. Now her earthly journey has ended. Doris has gone to meet her Lord that she met when a girl and wait for Bill to join her. Preceding her in death are her biological parents, Clayton Lavon Wallace and Amanda Marie Walden, and one sister, Yvonne Richette. Doris is survived by her husband, William Loyd Hooper, Sr., Bolivar, MO; a son, William L. Hooper, Jr of Scottsdale, AZ.; and a daughter, Carol Ann Cooper of Huntsville, TX. She is also survived by five grandchildren: Nathan Hooper, Phoenix AZ; Natalie Achuo, Houston, TX; Sarah Hooper, Avondale, AZ; Claire Emily Cooper, Huntsville, TX; and Kate Elizabeth Cooper, Huntsville, TX. Two step-grandsons, Alexander DiBenedetto and Lucas DiBenedetto of Scottsdale, AZ. She is also survived by her sister, Helen Gill, Springfield, MO; a step-father, Price Walden of Bolivar; and one cousin, Barbara Kelly, Abilene, TX, and three great granddaughters, Samus Schmidt, Avondale, AZ; Laura, Achuo, Houston, TX and Anna Achuo, Houston TX; and many nieces and nephews. One song sung at Doriss wedding was a gospel hymn titled, Wherever He Leads Ill Go. The chorus ends with these words, Ill follow my Christ who loves me so, wherever He leads Ill go. In the wedding ceremony Doris was dedicating herself to Christ and dedicating herself to Bill. Doris lived out her commitments, and she could testify that God has been faithful to her throughout the entire journey. Memorial services will be held at 10:30am, Saturday, December 10, 2011 at the First Baptist Church in Bolivar, Missouri with Reverend Billy Russell officiating under the care and direction of the Butler Funeral Home in Bolivar, Missouri. A visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30am just prior to service time at the church. Joe Wooderson will be leading congregational music with Bill Brown playing the organ. A private Inurnment will take place at a later date in Greenwood Cemetery at Bolivar, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association c/o Butler Funeral Home, 407 E. Broadway, Bolivar, Missouri 65613. Friends and family may sign the guest book or send private condolences at www.butlerfuneralhome.com PDF Printable Version

Doris Jean Hooper

January 1, 1931 - December 5, 2011