Ruby Chadman Hooks

When I’ve gone the last mile of the way,
I will rest at the close of the day;
And I know there are joys that await me,
When I’ve gone the last mile of the way.

In humble submission to the Will of God, the management and staff of Park Funeral Home, sorrowfully announce the earthly departure of  Sister Ruby Chadman Hooks.

Sister Ruby Chadman Hooks born September 15, 1918 in Freeport, Florida to Chapus Chadman and Lula Elizabeth Conner Chadman.

She was a member of Saint Stephens Baptist Church in Freeport, where she served until she was joined in Holy Matrimony to Willie Williams. They began their lives in Panama City, Florida, where she worked and she later moved to DeFuniak Springs, Florida in the late 1940’s after her first marriage ended. In the 1950’s, she became acquainted with the Reverend C.J. Hooks, “aka Boss Hooks-the wood yard man”. Reverend Hooks owned a wood yard and the Blue Top Café. She began working along side him at the café which blossomed into a relationship and then into a loving marriage. At the time of their union, Reverend Hooks was raising ten children. She joined him by becoming a loving mother to them and helping in the businesses.

February 1960, her sister, Evelyn Jackson passed, leaving a child, Dorothy Mae Jackson, age 11. Dorothy's’ father fulfilled her mother dying wish, that Dorothy be raised by Reverend and Mrs. Hooks. She joined the other children, graduating high school and college. Later marrying and leaving home to raise her own family. The Hooks household also was blessed with Alvin Benson, whose mother also passed leaving him in their care.

Reverend and Mrs. Hooks were blessed with over forty-eight years of marriage until he passed November 1984. Mrs. Ruby was a wonderful homemaker, excellent cook and made the best sweet tea. She loved to fish and a was a member of Temple Missionary Baptist Church for many years, but for the last fifty years or more she was a member of Union Springs Missionary Baptist Church. She served her church as a choir member, missionary, other ministries and on the Mother’s Board for forty years.

Sister Ruby Hooks has been a mother to two sons; ten of the Hooks children, Dorothy Jackson and Alvin Benson to all she was a wonderful help in each of their lives. All but three preceded her in death.

Sister Hooks was a caring person who touched many lives, God was truly good to her.

Sister Hooks leaves to cherish her memories her children: Barbara Hooks Smith of Buffalo, New York, Dorothy Jackson Merrill (Rudolph) of Crestview, Florida and Alvin Benson (Linda) of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews; one devoted great niece, Ann Jones and one dearly very love friend, Sandy Trueiea.

On Saturday, May 26, 2018, while surrounded by her loving & caring family, God dispatched the Angel of Death to relay a message to Ruby, saying "I see your road is rough, and the hill is getting too steep. Come rest your head upon My breast, your soul I will keep.

Please keep the Hooks family in prayer, as we reflect the gracious memories.

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