Dr. W. Hooper Haygood Sr.

W. Hooper Haygood Sr. was born on the 9th of August 1927, in Houston, Texas to Sidney Coy and Maggie Williams Haygood. He died on the 29th of July 2026, after serving more than 65 years as a United Methodist Minister in the Texas Annual Conference.

Hooper is survived by two children, Sherra Haygood Babcock and her husband Jim of Falls Church, VA and Chautauqua, NY, and Bill Haygood and his wife Angela of Tomball, TX, along with 14 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, a great-great grandson, and numerous nieces, nephews and other friends and family. He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 71years, Beth Haygood and one cherished daughter, Glenda Haygood Dennison. Also preceding in death are his parents, his brother Sidney Haygood and sister Dorothy Dubberly.

Hooper graduated from Stephen F Austin High School, Houston; Lon Morris College (AA), Sam Houston State University (BS) and SMU Perkins School of Theology (MTh). He received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity degree in 1976 from Wiley College.

Dr. Haygood served churches throughout East Texas and the Houston area. Among those appointments were West University UMC, First UMC Beaumont, Westbury UMC and two terms as District Superintendent (Houston South and Nacogdoches). He also served on the Conference Program Staff, on most Boards and Committees of the Conference and beyond the bounds of the Conference, including the General Methodist Board of Christian Social Concerns. After his formal retirement, he served as an interim pastor at two Houston area churches and as the Director of Developing Connectional Ministry, assisting new ministers preparing for ordination.

He was a longtime Trustee of Lon Morris College, from which both he and Beth received Distinguished Alumni awards in 1977. He was a delegate to the United Methodist General and Jurisdictional Conferences in 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Friday, the 21st of August, in the sanctuary of St. Lukes United Methodist Church, 3741 Westheimer Road in Houston.

Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the fellowship hall.

For those unable to attend, virtual attendance may be accessed by selecting the ‘Join Livestream’ icon in the service section below. While there you may share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence by selecting the ‘Add a Memory’ icon under ‘Show your Support.’

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions in his memory may be directed to the St. Luke’s UMC Foundation by accessing the link under ‘Donations’ below or may be directed to the charity of one’s choice.