Doris Hooks

Doris Nell Hooks passed away Monday, December 19, 2011 in Odessa, Texas.

She was born April 28, 1926 to Emmett and Hattye Belle Parrish Blassingame in the Buford community in Mitchell County. She attended Buford School and graduated from Colorado City High School in 1943. She then attended the Dallas Methodist Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in September 1946. She worked as an RN at Root Memorial Hospital in Colorado City, Texas. She was married to Jay Allen Hooks on March 15, 1947 at Buford Methodist Church where they were both members. Jay and Doris had known each other all of their lives. They had three daughters and farmed for almost 10 years near Colorado City and near Stanton where Doris was a Martin County school nurse.

The family moved to Odessa in 1956 and joined St. Lukes United Methodist Church. They were active in the church, in the Christopher Sunday School Class and in the mens and womens groups. They served on several committees and boards at the church and were recognized for their service to the United Methodist Women and the church. Doris took part in PTA and scouting with her daughters and was a 4H Leader as well as a Permian Band Booster. She was also active in the Ector County Home Demonstration Club.

She volunteered in the community delivering Meals on Wheels and at Interfaith where for 25 years she helped young women to become more self sufficient by teaching them to sew for their families. She also worked as a VISTA Volunteer at the Food Bank of the Permian Basin. She loved to sew and knit and made much of the clothing her children and grandchildren wore as they grew up.
Jay and Doris loved to travel, going to Hawaii three times, Europe twice and visiting all but 3 states. After their retirement they split their time between their home in Odessa and their home near Cloudcroft, New Mexico where they relaxed, gardened, visited with friends and attended Cloudcroft United Methodist Church.

Survivors include daughters Cheryl Chancellor and husband Stan of Fort Worth Elaine Stephens and husband Mike of Odessa and Joni Holdridge and husband Don of Odessa. She is also survived by her grandchildren Cristina Chancellor and Ryan Chancellor of Euless, Nathan Stephens and Paul Stephens of Odessa, Bernadette Thornton and husband Matt of Houston and Tori Marshall and husband Rob of Odessa. She is also survived by her sister Martha Hamilton of Friona and her sistersinlaw Blanche Hooks Turner Hext of Dallas and Jan Blassingame of Colorado City and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by Jay Hooks, her husband of over 60 years, her parents, and her brothers Don, Frank, J.W. and Murrell Blassingame. Jay and Doris also enjoyed the companionship of their beloved cat, Gato, for 15 years.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, December 21, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home. Services will be held at St. Lukes United Methodist Church of Odessa on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., and will be officiated by Rev. Brad Bennett of St. Lukes and Doris nephew Rev. Gary Turner of First United Methodist Church of Euless.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Six Central at Medical Center Hospital and Hospice of Odessa for their caring assistance.

Memorials may be directed to St. Lukes United Methodist Church.

Visitation

Sunset Memorial Funeral Home
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
6:00 8:00 P.M.

Service

Memorial Service

St. Lukes United Methodist Church
1601 East 42nd.
Odessa, TX  79762
Thursday, December 22, 2011
11:00 A.M.

Cemetery

Sunset Memorial Gardens
6801 E. Business 20
Odessa, TX  79762

Memorial Contributions

1601 E. 42nd Street
Odessa, TX  79762