Elizabeth Snipes “Betty” Hooper, of Gainesville, Fla., died Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, at Tampa General Hospital, after a valiant fight with polymyositis and cancer.
She was born on July 30, 1935, in Moundville to Floyd and Lillie Mae Snipes.
She grew up in central Alabama, and graduated from Livingston State Teacher’s College (now the University of West Alabama) with a degree in English and a minor in mathematics. She moved to Bay Minette upon graduation, and became a seventh grade mathematics teacher. There, she met and married Dr. Leonard J. “Buddy” Hooper Jr.
She moved to Gainesville in 1964, when her husband accepted a position at the University of Florida in the College of Journalism and Communications. She returned to teaching in the mid 70s in the Adult Education Program, teaching first at A. Quinn Jones and later at the Loften Center.
She enjoyed gardening, sewing, good jokes and beautiful music. She was active in AAUW, PTA, and the Garden Club. But her true passion was her family. She was happiest when everyone was together for vacations and special occasions. She had an incredible gift for making people feel special. She is deeply missed.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Eugene Snipes, and sister, Florene Snipes Strong, and their spouses, and sister-in-law Gwen Hooper.
Survivors include her devoted husband of more than 50 years, Dr. Leonard J. “Buddy” Hooper Jr. of Gainesville; two daughters Anne Hooper (Jay) Bartlett of Tampa, Fla., and Emily Hooper (Robert) Bullock of Wilmington, N.C.; four beloved grandchildren, John, William, Sarah and Bryan; brother Vernon (Ramona) Snipes of Demopolis; three brothers-in-law, Dr. William J. (Toni) Hooper of Bay Minette, Dr. Glenn S. (Carole) Hooper of Tampa, Fla., and Thomas N. (Sara) Hooper of Houston; three nieces and 11 nephews, whom she adored, many special friends and neighbors.
Visitation was held Wednesday, Oct. 28 at the Baughman Center at Lake Alice on the UF Campus. A celebration of her life was held Thursday, Oct. 29 at First United Methodist Church.
The family requests memorial donations be made to the Methodist Children’s Home or the Lupus Foundation.
Arrangements were made by Milam Funeral and Cremation Services, Gainesville, Fla.
