Castene Dorothy Hoard

Castene D. Hoard

August 5, 1928 - October 8, 2021

Our beautiful, loving, strong and diligent Queen, Castene Dorothy Hoard, also known as “Toots” and matriarch of the Hoard family, saw the amazing light and ascended into heaven on Friday, October 8, 2021 at 8:40 pm.

Castene was born in Lynchburg, Virginia on August 5, 1928, to the late Printes and Beatrice (Linthicum) Cheatham, where she was raised with her sisters; the late Vivian Crews, Virginia Robinson, Estelle Brown, and Gladys Respass. She is survived by her sister, Margaret Clark who is 100 years old.

Castene moved to Washington, DC in her teen years and attended Garnet Patterson Junior High School where she met the love of her life, the late James “Sammy” Hoard. James and Castene entered matrimony on September 9, 1950 in Washington, DC.

A long-time resident of Ward 5, Castene was also employed in Washington, DC. by the Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for 24 years and retired on April 30, 2011. Outside of work, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends who enjoyed her sense of humor, which often spurred hearty laughs and entertainment. You could often find Castene shopping, being the life of the party at cookouts, visiting nearby casinos, and playing the DC Lottery. Her favorite color was red and her signature was red lipstick and long red nails. “Casanova”, by LaVert, was her favorite song which always seemed to put a smile on her face and set her body in motion to the rhythm. Castene was FULL OF LIFE.

Castene is survived by her daughters Denita Oxley, Iris (Douglas Foster) Hoard, Bernadeen Hoard, and son, Vernon Hoard, Sr. Her daughters Belinda Paige, Lillian Hoard and grandson, Lorenzo Paige preceded her in death. She leaves behind 12 grandchildren; Lenuel Paige, Rev. James (Taledia) Oxley Jr., Melinda (Craig) Morton, India (Antonio) Tarpley, Kevin (Vanetta) Banks, Jerome (Sherrey) Williams Jr., Raphael Sahadeo Jr., Vernon (Louise) Hoard Jr., Devon Sahadeo, Rashanda Thornhill, Brandon (Rachel) Sahadeo, and Ronita Oxley; 38 great-grandchildren, 40 great-great grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Castene “Toots” will truly be missed, but never, ever forgotten. Her legacy will live on in all of her descendants.

We love you Mommy, Grandma, and Great-Grandma. We will see you again, “Our Beautiful Queen.”