Nel Louise Nash-Hooks

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Nel Louise Nash-Hooks, age 75, on April 14, 2026. Nel was born on September 26, 1950, in Cleburne, Texas, to Alton Thomas Nash and Gladys Boyd Nash.

Nel grew up in Texas surrounded by family. She spent her teens in Waxahachie, Texas. Nel's Mother was a professional dancer before she married. She taught Nel to dance and inspired Nel’s love of ballet. Nel had the natural grace of a dancer; her nickname in high school was “twinkle-toes”. She attended Waxahachie High School and was very active in a variety of after-school programs, including sports, FHA, FTA, singing, band, drill team, student council, and was the editor of the high school annual. After high school, she attended Texas Tech where she earned a BS and MS in Home Economics in 1975.

Nel would work at many jobs during her life, learning to use many software tools that ran on personal computers. She loved learning new things and continued to take continuing education classes. In 1989 Nel moved to Atlanta, working for Delta Airlines at Hartsfield-Jackson Airport supporting their Reservations System. Nel got her credentials as a Certified Software Tester (CSTE). She worked for several other companies including Worldspan and Genuine Parts Company.

Nel attended Peachtree Presbyterian Church where she met her future husband, Byron Hooks: in 1990 when he asked her to dance. Nel would later say that it was during their 3rd date at Oakland Cemetery when she decided she wanted to marry Byron. They were engaged 6 months later and married on March 23, 1991.

Nel was always making lists, so many that she was teased about needing a list of all her lists. She loved reading romance novels and had a list of the ones she wanted to read. She would go to used books stores looking for them. Nel also loved to travel. Before her move to Atlanta, she traveled to Mexico and to Europe. After Nel and Byron were married, they visited 49 states. They loved visiting National Parks and always stamped their NPS Passport book. After retirement, Nel planned to do a lot of sewing. She had a sewing machine that would do embroidery and she also made quilts, with embroidered panels.

Nel was very organized, loved cats and dogs. She was sweet, elegant, and classy. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Nel is survived by her husband, Byron Hooks, her brother Tom Nash, her sisters-in-law Janis Hooks Williams and Nancy Nash, several nephews, nieces and their children.