Mildred Hooper

Mildred Lois Hooper (Gates)

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/195478764/mildred_lois_hooper
• https://www.nps.gov/people/mildred-gates-hooper.htm

Mildred Gates Hooper, a Christian woman was born in Carthage, Texas. She was reared in Marshall, Texas and resided Houston for 65 yrs. She was the youngest of 9 children, mother of 3 daughters, LaGretta, Debbie, Stelena. She was educated at Central High & Texas College for Negroes renamed Texas Southern University. Mildred was a Faithful member of Wheeler Avenue B. C. Visitation (Saturday) December 22, 2018 from 10-10:55 a.m., Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. both services will be held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, 3826 Wheeler Avenue, Dr. Marcus Cosby, Officiating, Interment Paradise South.

Published in Houston Chronicle on December 21, 2018

Mildred Gates Hooper loved the Lord! Reared in a Christian home and baptized at age 9 at St. Mary’s Baptist Church in Marshall, Texas had a profound impact on Mildred. Everyone realized that within a few minutes into meeting her as she witnessed about the Lord’s goodness and mercy. Enriched with a flawless faith, she had an amazing spirit and radiated beautiful energy. Always giving a kind word and positive outlook to all who encountered her, she welcomed everyone with open arms and a joyful smile. She was LOVE.

Born in Carthage, Texas on February 2, 1922 and grew up in Marshall, Texas, Mildred was the youngest of nine children of devout Christian parents, William and Jessie Gates. She married Marvin Hooper, who preceded her in death and moved to Houston, Texas where she has been a resident for over 65 years. From this union, she became the mother of three daughters, LaGretta, Debbie and Stelena. She attended Central High School in Marshall, wherein throughout her high school years, she was an avid basketball player on her school team and sang in the Glee Club.

On her 21stbirthday, February 21, 1943, when she became eligible, adventurous Mildred proudly joined the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC), in De Moines, Iowa, serving in WWII. The name later became Women’s Army Corp (WAC), in July 1943. During WWII, a man power shortage prompted Congress to authorize some of the military branches, including Army, to recruit and enlist women to perform military duties, such as processing massive backlog of mail destined for the troops. After the D-Day Invasion, the mail quickly became backed up. WWII Black Army Corps improved the morale of America’s fighting forces. This was the duty/capacity of which Mildred served. The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. In fact, she is noted as being in the group who censored over 7 million pieces of mail, in record time, and the servicemen received their much-anticipated mail. The group was given 6 months to complete this task. They completed it in 3 months, instead! Mildred and her fellow WAC performed this very important task of censoring mail in Birmingham England, Rouen France and Paris France. Upon her honorable discharge from the Army in 1946, she returned to the States, attended Texas Southern University to compliment her career due to her service time. Additionally, Mildred attended and completed Franklin Beauty School in order that she could manage her “three living dolls” hair, whom each had different textured hair.

Mildred loved celebrations, the holidays, birthday parties, anniversaries, as it gave her the opportunity to celebrate with all of her family; children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbors. She loved listening to music and enjoyed singing, adding the harmony of her beautiful alto voice. An avid gardener, she was also an exceptional cook and seamstress. She enjoyed and was a patron of the arts. With what seemed to be boundless energy, she attended the Houston sports teams’ games and was often in the stands cheering on her grandsons at their high school and college games. At age 70, filled with much vim and vigor, it didn’t take much encouragement for Mildred to begin running 5K fun runs on weekends for 10 years. Subsequently, she decided to scale down her vigorous exercise by enjoying her favorite exercises, water aerobics at the YMCA and low impact aerobics with her fellow Seasoned Saints of WABC. Extensive travel lead her to many adventures across the country and abroad.

A faithful member of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, she participated in various ministries; serving as a Deaconess, Celestial Choir Member, Meals on Wheels, Women’s Sunday School class, Seasoned Saints Aerobics, and Family Group 13 Bible Study.

Forever cherishing the memory of our beloved sweet angel Mildred are her “3 Living Dolls” (daughters) LaGretta Simien, Debbie Harris and Stelena Hooper Evans, son in law, Ronnie , Grandchildren, Tiffani, Christopher, Ronnie Jr. (Jennifer), Spencer (Laila), Ryan, (Breana), Michael (Lisa), Michelle, Brianna, Dillon, Great grands; Alana, Clarence, Angel, Patrick and Paris.

Troy B. Smith Professional Services

NOTE: Her mother, Jessie Gates, appears to be the same person as Addie Gates. Her death certificate states her name as Jessie Gates and her father’s name as Green Bolden and shows her buried in Jordan Valley Memorial Park in Longview, Texas. The informant on the death certificate is her daughter Fairis Williams. In her marriage record, her name appears as Addie Bolden marrying William Gates in 1900 in Panola County, Texas.