Janet Hooks

Janet Hooks, 70, passed October 10, 2023.
Janet Deann Perry Hooks was born in Selma, Alabama, on June 28, 1953, to Anna Margaret Compton Perry and Dr. Ludwald Orren Pettipher Perry. Her parents met while students at Fisk University and Meharry Medical School. Janet's parents preceded her in death. Janet was the third child alongside her brother Ludwald Compton Perry (Luddy), who also preceded her in death, and sisters Anna Elizabeth Perry Battle and Pamela Shevan Perry Donan. Following her mother's untimely passing, Dr. Perry married Janet's stepmother, Rosetta Miller of Memphis, TN.
Janet attended St. Vincent de Paul School in Nashville, Tennessee, from kindergarten through 8th grade. Throughout her youth, Janet was an active member of the Nashville community. She worked as a receptionist in her father's gastroenterology office throughout high school. One of her favorite pastimes was visiting Lum's restaurant with her father to get her favorite meal, fried clam strips. Janet was also a volunteer nurse's aide at Meharry. She loved attending craft fairs with her sisters at Centennial Park and the Rites of Spring Music Festival at Vanderbilt University. Janet completed high school at the University School of Nashville.
Following high school, Janet attended Fisk University. During that time, she worked for a longtime family friend, civil rights attorney Tennessee Senator Avon Williams. She finished her collegiate education at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Janet met the love of her life, Michael Anthony Hooks, Sr., in 1977. She married Michael on September 25, 1982, at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, where she was raised and baptized. Michael and Janet settled in Memphis, TN, with this union, she became a proud stepmother to Michael Hooks, Jr. In 1984, they welcomed their daughter, Kristin Nicole. Their youngest son, Marcus Addison, would bless their union in 1987.
Janet was elected to the Memphis City Council in 1991. She was the second Black woman to serve in this position. In 1996, the City Council voted Janet to be chairwoman. During her historic tenure, she supported Girls, Inc., Memphis Black Arts Alliance, Memphis Symphony Ball, and the Mason YMCA, among other impactful civic organizations. Janet was a member of Leadership Memphis, Jack and Jill, Incorporated of America, and a Golden Heritage Member of the NAACP. Janet was a regular congregant at Grace St. Luke's Episcopal Church and Mt. Moriah-East Baptist Church with her husband, Michael. Janet was formerly a member of Greater Middle Baptist Church, where her Uncle, Dr. Benjamin Hooks, pastored.
While on the Memphis City Council, Janet sponsored a telecommunication franchise ordinance that was subsequently passed by the Council, generating millions of dollars of alternate revenue for the City of Memphis; an ordinance requiring the wearing of seat belts that ultimately saved lives, and co-sponsored public safety legislation ensuring safe crossings at neighborhood schools. Janet represented an inner-city district that received a state-of-the-art community center, a revitalized industrial park generating hundreds of new jobs, new schools, and an NBA Sports Complex. Janet's fierce advocacy on behalf of Memphians resulted in an ordinance that protected renters' rights. Janet advocated for improving the quality of life in neighborhoods by leading the charge to update zoning laws and providing resources for effective code enforcement. During her tenure, Janet served as chair of the Public Works and Transportation Committee, vice chair of the Parks Committee, member of the Tourism Committee, and a liaison to the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. Janet was also a board member of Memphis in May and an ad-hoc member of the Overton Park Conservancy.
In 2009, Janet joined the administration of Memphis' first Black mayor, W.W. Herenton, as the Director of Public Services and Neighborhoods. She continued this position through the administrations of Mayor Myron Lowery and Mayor A C Wharton. Janet retired from service to the City of Memphis in 2011. She continued operating as a licensed real estate appraiser with her company, Janet Hooks, Co.
Janet valued spending time with her family. She saw Michael, Jr., Kristin, and Marcus through college and was a caretaker to Michael, Sr.'s aunts Mildred and Eurline. Janet was an avid reader, enthusiastic gardener, and fantastic chef. She enjoyed trying new recipes and incorporating fresh ingredients from her garden and local farmers' markets. Her dogs, Bentley and Barkley, were a source of joy throughout her life. Fondly known as Gran Jan, Janet loved spending time with her granddaughters, Morgan and Miranda Hooks. Since 1993, Janet and her sisters, Anna and Pamela, have embarked on an annual trip, a highlight of her year. They traveled across the globe together on excursions to Alaska, Niagara Falls, Puerto Rico, Vermont, and other exciting locations. Janet lived life to the fullest and enjoyed experiencing new places and people.
Michael lovingly reflects on the forty-plus years that he and Janet spent together. They enjoyed traveling the world to six continents. Janet and Mike treasured daring excursions such as hang-gliding in Brazil, scuba diving in the Caymans, walking to the top of the Great Wall of China, and other adventures. Along with serving the community together, they cherished working together and raising their children.
Janet put family, friends, and her community first until her last day. She leaves behind a beloved circle of loved ones. Her husband, Michael Sr., will hold her in his heart forever. Her children, Michael, Jr., Kristin, and Marcus, will continue to love and respect her dearly. She will be further remembered by her sisters, Anna Battle and Pamela Donan (Bill), sister-in-law Sonya Lampley (Dr. E. Charles); brother-in-law Melvin Malunda; stepmother, Rosetta Perry; two granddaughters, Morgan and Miranda Hooks; daughter-in-law, Judge Kenya Hooks; nieces and nephews, Jarrett and Lauren Lampley, Isaiah Malunda, Alex and Kelsey Perry; and daughter, Tami Sawyer. A host of family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, constituents, and the entire Memphis community will remember the impact of Janet's life.
Maya Angelou's words reflect Janet's life:
"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."
The following livestream link is provided for the Tuesday, October 17, 11 a.m. Service for Janet Hooks at Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church:
https://fb.watch/nKqCKb1BTZ/?mibextid=cr9u03
For more information: Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal Church, office tel. 901-272-7425, church hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Serenity Funeral Home, Tel. (901) 379-0861.