Virginia "Ginny" Elizabeth Hooker

Mes amis, my friend. Our Aunt Ginny not only taught us how to say these words in French, She modeled for us how to be a friend and follower of Jesus. Her faith and works have and will continue to influence generations of our family. 

It is with sad, yet hope-filled hearts, that we announce the passing of Virginia Elizabeth Hooker on October 14, 2024. She was born October 4, 1924, to Addison and Nora Hooker. She grew up on the family’s farm alongside siblings Charles Dewey, Nancy Rose, Margaret, Addison Jr., and Janet. Aunt Ginny lived a simple, yet extraordinary life, all 100 years of it. In a time when higher education opportunities for women were rare, she received degrees from Columbia Hospital School of Nursing, Central Wesleyan Bible College, Columbia Bible College in Columbia, South Carolina, as well as Houghton College in New York. Her nursing career began at Stokes Reynolds Hospital in Danbury, NC. She would tell you, however, that her heart and life’s work was as a medical missionary in Haiti. We have fond memories of helping her pack her trunk year after year in preparation for journeys to Port Margot, Petit Goave, and La Gonave Island. She loved her Haitian friends fiercely. For 23 years, she was committed to their bodily health, but most importantly to the health of their souls. Even after her work abroad ended, Aunt Ginny longed for the people of Haiti to know the love and promises of God. 

Back at home in NC, she worked at Guardian Care in Walnut Cove and volunteered many years for King Outreach Ministries. She took the most loving care of her sister Janet and mothered countless nieces and nephews in our family. She taught us the 23rd Psalm. She taught us ‘Jesus Loves Me’ in Creole. She taught us the Twelve Disciples song. She gave us words and habits that we cherish in our hearts. Aunt Ginny’s nieces and nephews are ministers, missionaries and warriors for neighbors in need both near and far, inspired by the seeds she sowed. We will hold dear our memories of Aunt Ginny, we will treasure the keepsakes in our homes shared from her Haitian friends, and we will continue to draw our strength from the words of God she prayed over us. We look forward to the day when we will see her again in heaven. She will surely greet us with a plate of peanut brittle and a cheerful, “Mes Amis.”

We will celebrate Virginia Hooker’s life at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at Hayworth Miller Rural Hall Chapel with Rev. Derrick Suttles officiating. A graveside service will follow in the Trinity United Methodist Church Cemetery in King, NC. The service will be livestreamed at www.hayworth-miller.com

Our family extends sincere gratitude to the staff of Village Care in King, NC. You loved and took great care of Aunt Ginny. We are forever thankful for you all. 

Memorial donations may be made to Samaritan's Purse, Western NC Hurricane Relief Efforts (samaritanspurse.org or PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607), or to a charitable organization of your choice.