Hoke Smith Wofford, Jr.

Hoke Smith Wofford, Jr., age 90, passed away peacefully at his home on June 17, 2025. Born on July 19, 1934, in Atlanta, Georgia, he was the son of Colonel Hoke Smith Wofford, Sr. and Leona DeBardelaben Wofford.

A true "Army kid" Hoke grew up all over the United States and abroad. He lived in Atlanta, Georgia, Washington, D.C., Long Island, New York, Indiana, and Geissen, Germany where he attended Frankfurt High School. Following in his father's footsteps, he joined the Army ROTC as a teenager. Despite many moves, Atlanta, Georgia was always home. Hoke attended the University of Georgia where he served in various service organizations and was a proud member of Sigma Chi fraternity. His position as Social Chairman allowed him to meet musical greats Louis Armstrong, Little Richard, Fats Domino, The Drifters and others. His story of driving Little Richard from Macon to Athens was legendary. Despite all the football, fraternity and fun, Hoke completed his undergraduate degree and his law degree in 1958, in only six years. Hoke married Anne Leland Warner in June, 1957 and his daughter, Gail, was born the week of his law school graduation.

With a young family, Hoke began his law career in Chattanooga, Tennessee and enlisted in the Army Reserve, where he served for over 25 years, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Hoke's unit was activated and the Woffords moved to Fort Lee in Petersburg, Virginia shortly before his son, Trey (Hoke Smith Wofford, III), was born. Hoke practiced law in Augusta, Georgia for four years where he enjoyed visiting the Augusta National Golf Club and had the good sense to purchase Masters tickets. An avid golfer he enjoyed attending the tournament for the rest of his life. In 1966 Hoke moved his family home to Atlanta. When not practicing law, raising his family or away for Reserve training Hoke served in the Rotary Club and was always active in the Episcopal church. In his later years he loved to travel, continue to work, and anything that put him in the company of his beloved wife, Beverly. They enjoyed family, friends, their daily bible study time together and were members of Church of the Apostles. Hoke cherished Beverly and every moment he got to spend with her.

Hoke loved family events, traditions, and reunions of all types, the Georgia Bulldogs, playing golf at Dunwoody Country Club, raw oysters and the color orange. He loved his country and was always thrilled to march in a parade in celebration of our liberty and freedom. Long standing friendships were very important to him and he loved to reminisce and tell stories, most of which would grow with every telling. And he never missed an opportunity to share a good lawyer joke, the saltier the better. Above all, Hoke loved his family. Some of his most cherished memories were of the many times they spent together on annual beach trips to Pawleys Island and "the most beautiful place on earth", DeBordieu, South Carolina. He was endlessly proud of his children, Gail and Trey, and their accomplishments. His four grandchildren and eight great- grandchildren brought him so much joy.

Hoke is preceded in death by his parents, Colonel Hoke Smith Wofford, Sr. and Leona DeBardelaben Wofford, his younger brother, Milton Russell Wofford, and infant sister, Fadra Ann Wofford.

Left to cherish Hoke's memory are his beloved wife of eighteen years, Beverly Wofford of Cumming, Ga, his daughter, Gail Wofford (Glenn Campbell) of Atlanta, his son, Trey Wofford (Melanie) of Aiken, SC, and their mother, Anne Leland (Elah) Wofford of Aiken, four grandchildren, Parker Wofford DeLoach (Joseph) of Augusta, Ga, Virginia Wofford Hagopian (Brandon) of Augusta, Julia Wofford Deal (Alex) of Aiken, and Michael Charles Standard (Emily) of Chattanooga. Surviving him as well are eight great-grandchildren, Harrison Hagopian , Piper Hagopian, Margot Hagopian, Trey Tedesco, Charlotte Gray Tedesco, Noah Tedesco, Theo Standard and Eileen Standard.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, June 23, 2025 at 2:00 pm at Georgia National Cemetery in Canton, Georgia. The Reverend Alec Ward will officiate. Honorary pallbearers will be Russell Wofford, Michael Standard, Harrison Hagopian, Trey Tedesco, Brandon Hagopian, Alex Deal, Joe DeLoach and Glenn Campbell.

The family wishes to thank Agape Hospice for their exceptional care and service to Hoke and his family. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Veterans Empowerment Organization at https://veohero.org/donate or 381 West Lake Ave. NW, Atlanta, Ga, 30318.