Nelle Smith Hooks

Nelle Smith Hooks ABILENE-Nelle Smith Hooks passed from this life on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at the age of 96. Nelle was born Aug. 14, 1920, to A.V. Smith and Nellie Hill Smith in Abilene. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, Texas. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. Nelle attended Abilene public school and graduated from McMurry College with a degree in Art Education. She taught in Rotan, Texas, and Valley View Elementary in Abilene. In 1945, she married Ralph Nabors Hooks in Abilene and to them were born two children, Ralph N. (Randy) Hooks, Jr. and Elizabeth Ann Hooks Waller. Ralph and Nelle were members of First Christian Church in Abilene until their deaths. Nelle was also a member of the Junior League of Abilene, Abilene Country Club, Abilene Women's Club, and the Searchers Sunday School Class at First Christian Church. Those preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Ralph; and her brother, Ashby Smith. She is survived by her son, Randy Hooks (Ann); daughter, Ann Hooks Waller (Bill); grandchildren, Ryan Nabors Hooks and Reed Alexander Hooks (Emily). She is also survived by three great-grandchildren, Olivia, Thomas, and Grace Hooks. Also surviving are niece, Sharon Knaus, and nephew, Jim Hooks (Susan). In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you send memorials to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, TX 79601. Condolences may be submitted online at: www.HamilFamilyFuneralHome.com.