Debra Ann Hooper

1950 - 2025

Debra Ann Hooper

August 25, 1950 - April 28, 2025

Wilmington, North Carolina - Debra Ann Hooper passed away on the afternoon of April 28 in Wilmington, NC. Born in High Point, NC to H. Don Hooper and Peggy Martin Hooper on August 25, 1950, she came with her parents to Raleigh at a young age and spent her formative years. Debra graduated from William G. Enloe High School in 1968, going on to earn an Education degree in 1972 at East Carolina University.

As evidenced by her home's interior and her fashion, Debra had an eye for all thing related to art and style. As a young adult she lived in Houston, TX and then in Minneapolis, MN, where she connected with the owner of an arts school. This connection led to her founding the School of Communications Arts in Raleigh, where she served as its director for two decades. Her successful management and mentoring produced a host of students who went on to work in animation and computer graphics at places like Disney, Lucas Films and Pixar.

In 2010 Debra met the love of her life, Dr. Charles (Chuck) Kupatt. After a number of years in Raleigh, the two moved from Raleigh and built a home in Wilmington, where she became the very happy doggie parent to two Logatto Romagnolo dogs: Isabella and Luna. Debra loved those dogs.

Pre-deceased by both parents and by her beloved niece, Laura Hooper Yarbrough (Jody), Debra is survived by her husband, Chuck, siblings Donna Hooper-Knox (Robert), Randall Hooper, and Darlene Tharrington (Mark), nephews and nieces Elizabeth Hooper Bottoms (Tommy), John Knox (Mary Kate), Michelle Hooper, Kevin Hooper (Antonella), Leigh Hardee (Matt), Tanner Tharrington (Bailee) and step-children Erika Kupatt Gutowski (Sean), Christian Kupatt, Allison Kupatt and a large number of great-nephews and nieces and step-grandchildren.

A memorial service for Debra will be held on May 21 (2025) at 3:00 pm in Raleigh at St. Michaels Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any donations be sent to two organizations that Debra held dear: www.savinggrace.nc.org and www.tunneltotowers.org

Thank you to all the friends, colleagues, former students for their remembrances on Facebook and texts. They describe her encouragement, kindness, grit, grace and unwavering belief in others' potential.