Joyce Marie Damron Hooper

Joyce Marie Damron Hooper went to her Heavenly reward on February 6, 2024. Born on September 7, 1926, to Pioneer Midland family George Walden (G.W.) Damron and Enide Viola Whitmire Damron, she was proud to be a native Midlander. She was the last living member of her generation of Damron's. Being raised during the Depression, she was taught to be frugal and self-sufficient by her parents. This continued her entire life. "Waste not, want not" was a moto she employed. Yet, they lacked for nothing, having a garden, chickens, pigs, cows and a goat. She was spoiled by her father's twin brother M.G., and his wife Goldie. Her parents complained that they could not buy her anything because if she wanted something, M.G. and Goldie had already done so. Joyce graduated from Midland High, Midland's only High School at that time, in 1943. She attended Shannon School of Nursing in San Angelo, Texas, and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1947. Her father pushed for women to be educated so they could have independence. Upon graduation, she returned to Midland and began her nursing career with Dr. Leggett. During this time, she met her future husband, Jesse (Jess) Donald Hooper, while receiving medical attention. They were married August 21, 1948. She became a stay-at-home Mom, raising 4 children.

Joyce's family was always most important to her. As an excellent seamstress, she made flannel shirts for Jesse when he was little, and costumes for Jocelyn to participate in plays at South Elementary, and later, things for her youngest, Carrie and Clayton. She returned to Nursing in the 1960's, for Dr. John E. Terry, but still found time to participate in her children's school and extra-curricular events, going dancing on weekends with Jess, joined by her cousin, Doris Lanham and husband Frank, and even taking up quilting by hand. Her mother, Enide, came to live with Joyce and Jess after George passed, and was cared for until she died. She was a member of the DAR, Daughter's of the American Revolution, and enjoyed researching the family history.

Joyce was raised as a Methodist and was a life long member of the WSCS, the Methodist Women's Society. She served the Methodist Church as a board member and Sunday School Teacher, along with serving on numerous committees for Church and School. She was an avid reader, preferring mysteries. Joyce believed in staying informed, and was always up on current affairs, locally and around the world. She loved to travel, and was blessed to be able to do so extensively with friends and family for many years. She researched and traveled to many exotic locations throughout the Middle East, Europe and Asia. There she met many colorful and interesting people who became lifelong friends. With her passing, a huge body of knowledge of Midland history is forever lost. If you ever rode in the car with Joyce, you could go down any street from Missouri Avenue to Terrell Street, and she could tell you who lived in what house, who they married and how many children they had. When COVID and infirmity kept her from Church, she would first tune into First Baptist Church on the television, and later, Carrie would log into the First Methodist service online for her to enjoy as well.

She is survived by her children, Jocelyn Hooper (Peter-deceased), Jesse Donald Hooper Jr. (Becky), Carrie Lee Hooper and Clayton Damron Hooper; six grandchildren, Amara Brook (Dave), Katie Hooper, Jacob Hooper (Lisa), Colin Strickland (Guin), Evan Strickland (Molly), and Emily McDaniel; along with eight great-grandchildren and one yet to arrive. The Family would like to express our sincere gratitude to Visiting Angels care givers, the doctors, nurses and aids of Midland Memorial Hospital, and Hospice of Midland. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Doctors Without Borders, First Methodist Church of Midland, or the charity of your choice.

A memorial service for Joyce will be held Saturday, February 10, 2024 at 4:00 PM at First Methodist Church, 300 N Main St, Midland, Texas.