Judith Lynn Hooper

Our beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend, Judith Lynn Hooper has slipped into Gods loving embrace, finally surrendering to the ravages of Parkinsons Disease on April 16, 2022. Born in San Antonio on September 27, 1949 as the third child of Dr. Charles H and Mary Eloise (Parks) Hooper, Judy is survived by her mother, brothers Michael and Stephen, their wives, many nieces, nephews, their children and grandchildren. Her father, brother Daniel and life partner Merrilee Swinford passed before her.

Judy lived a life committed to God, less out of a sense of devotion than as an expression of her identity as a Child of God. Her love for God and his children was evident early in life. She became the Youth Choir Director for Brookhill Baptist Church at the age of seventeen, and built the program into a touring choir with instrumental accompaniment, performing popular Christian musicals of the time.

A licensed social worker, with bachelor and masters degrees, Judy served for years at Buckner Baptist Benevolences, placing children in foster homes and monitoring their care and home environments. Later, she joined the Southern Baptist Ministry as a missionary in Nigeria, where, among so many other things, she initiated the production of musical instruments made from native materials that would withstand the unique climate and weather of the region. She also worked with the communities of outcast sufferers of leprosy to help them learn to support themselves, and was instrumental in convincing the Nigerian government to provide fresh, clean water to those communities.

In the early 1990s, Judy returned to build a house and live in Bandera, where she opened an art gallery, wrote and published two books, and again served as a choir director and social worker. When she began losing her physical capabilities to Parkinsons, she moved back to San Antonio and entered assisted living at Brookdale Senior Solutions. Even as her motor skills diminished, she served her Brookdale neighbors holding weekly worship services, leading song sessions, teaching art and sharing crafts.

Judy supported multiple charities and gave generously, even giving a house to friends. Being a life-long learner and teacher, towards the end of her life she adjusted to losing her ability to play guitar by teaching herself to play a keyboard.

Judy loved nothing more than bringing people together; she always wanted to be included and always wanted others to feel included. We all love her and will miss her very much, but we rejoice that she is now with God whom she loves most of all.

We will honor her life at 3 p.m. in the sanctuary of Saint Thomas Episcopal Church on Saturday, April 23, 2022, or follow the service at https://www.youtube.com/c/Tom1604. All are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation or to the charity of your choice.