Rita Jo Dorries Hoover

She was preceded in death by her husband J. W. Hoover Sr. with whom she spent 67 blessed years of marriage. She is survived by her daughter Rita Ann Melton and husband Ron of McKinney, Texas; son J. W. Hoover, Jr. and wife Janet of Wylie, Texas; three grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and many close and dear friends.

Rita was born December 28, 1927 in Denison, Texas, one of two children of A. B. Dorries and Floy Harriett Coffman Dorries English. She was a lifelong resident of her beloved state of Texas.

In her early years, the family moved to Troup, Texas and at age 16 the family moved back to Denison. She graduated Denison High School in 1945.

She then went to work for the Kraft Company in Denison after graduation. In late 1945 she met the love of her life, J. W. Hoover, Sr.,only three months after he returned from WWII, after spending 3 ½ years in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. They married three months later on March 26, 1946. She spent many years serving the Lord in her church, where she taught Sunday school and sang in the choir. She loved music and could be heard humming and singing throughout the day.

Mrs. Hoover had a passion for helping all those in need. She gave of her time and resources helping any and every one she could when the opportunity arose. Her smile was contagious and if you were her friend, you knew she would always be there for you. She was a great cook and when you dropped by she always had something freshly baked. She loved her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and she was always telling people the story of the Savior.

A graveside service will be held June 26, 2015 at 2:30 p.m. at Fariview Cemetery in Denison with Rev. Danny Broughton officiating.

Mrs. Hoover will lie in state for viewing at Bratcher Funeral Home in Denison Friday, June 26, 2015, from 8:00 a.m. to noon.