Obituary of Willeen Hook

Willeen Hook WEST COLUMBIA—Willeen Hook died peacefully in her sleep at Providence Hospital on Tuesday morning, July 5, 2011, after bravely battling several health issues for six years. She was the sole surviving child of the late William Nevins Hook and Grace Campbell Hook. Willeen was predeceased by her brother, John William Hook and her sister, Mildred Hook Anderson. She is survived by her loving husband, James Hook; her beloved son, Marty Hook (Julia); and her treasured daughter, Sherri Hook-Liles (Tom); as well as six grandchildren, Jennifer Latham (John), Michael Hook (Jennise), Kacey Mattox (David), James Liles, Van Hook and Savanna Liles. She had five great grandchildren, Riley Mattox, Liles Mattox, Jack Latham and Joseph and Weston Hook. She also had many nieces and nephews, all of which she loved dearly. The family will receive friends Thursday, July 7 from 6-8 p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home of West Columbia. The funeral service will be held at Brookland United Methodist Church at 3:30 pm, Friday, July 8, 2011. The Reverend Kevin Senn will officiate. Burial will follow in Celestial Memorial Gardens. Willeen was a homemaker as well as a talented artist who won numerous awards with her flower arrangements and gourd sculptures. She was a gifted seamstress and relished in passing her skills on to her children and grandchildren. She was active in her children and grandchildren's lives during their school years and served as a Cub Scout Den Mother for her son Marty's troop. She was an avid member of the Lady Banksia Garden Club and served for many years as a flower show judge. Of all her talents, Willeen's gift was love. She loved her husband with all her heart and loved her family with her entire being and soul. During their childhood years, her children's friends became her extended family and she freely lavished love on each and every one of them. There was never a friend or family member who had a problem that they couldn't go to Willeen with and leave comforted. There was never a time she turned anyone away and when there was a need, whether it was financial, physical or simply her time, her hugs or her smile, she was ready to be there to meet it. The world is a darker place without her smile and no one will ever be able to replace the generous love she so willingly gave for the asking. Even in her darkest times, when she was suffering greatly, she would have a smile and a word of comfort for those of us who watched her pain. Even in her weakest moments, towards the end of her life, no one ever walked away from Willeen without knowing how much they meant to her. Active pallbearers are Timmy Thomas, Mickey Gates, Joe Camrata, Don Hill, Wally Gantt, David Mattox, Jimmy Anderson and George Watts. Honorary pallbearers are the Couples for Christ Sunday School Class and the Kate Williams Circle from Brookland United Methodist Church, as well as Willeen's dear friends, Patsy Outlaw, Irene Ward, Gladys Timmons and Lois Shealy. The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff of Providence Hospital and the sitters that have worked with us over the last years of Willeen's life, currently Shirley Vasquez and Tammy McClain, and they especially want to thank Debra Brown and Callie Watts for their years of unending service, love and support during her illness. Memorials may be made to Henhouse Ministry, 1556 Whetstone Road, Swansea, SC 29160 and Brookland United Methodist Church, 541 Meeting Street, West Columbia, SC 29169.