1931
Naomi
2018
Naomi Nai
October 24, 1931 — September 16, 2018
Surrounded by her family, Naomi Lewis Hooks (Nai) passed away from complications of Lewy Body Dementia and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy on Sunday, September 16, 2018.
Nai was born at home on October 24, 1931, the second child to the late Linis and Evelyn Medlin Lewis in Pangburn, Arkansas.
Always an athlete, Nai played basketball in high school, and graduated early from Pangburn High at 16 to join her sister Sammy at Hendrix College where she served on the Homecoming court when Sammy was homecoming queen. These sisters were very close and yet very different in personality with outgoing Sammy including the much more reserved Nai in everything - whether she wanted it or not! It was at Hendrix where Nai met the love of her life, B. Gene Hooks. Always determined, Nai graduated at a young age from Hendrix, and married Gene by the age of 19. They enjoyed 61 years together.
In their early careers together, Nai and Gene, secured teaching jobs in Leslie, AR. The following years saw moves to Eureka Springs, Springdale, and Alma. In 1959, they moved to Little Rock. Nai taught physical education at Central High School and later went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Arkansas. Nai worked as a librarian at Parkview Senior High and Forest Heights Junior High. After retiring in the mid 1990’s Nai began many years of caregiving for her mother, and later for her husband, Gene.
Nai was an outstanding bridge player and voracious reader. She enjoyed decorating her home and shopping for fashionable clothing. Even when it became difficult for her to communicate, she was quick to notice if you had a new pair of shoes or attractive handbag.
She liked quiet times but her greatest joy came from family gatherings. She found joy and passion in everyday things. She loved children, animals, swimming in her swimming pool and gardening.
Nai had a calm and steady nature, and was a fixture of strength for all that knew her. She was kind, compassionate, empathetic and was always willing to make time for others. She lived each day with grace, humor and caring for what mattered. Nai was always inclusive, and never judgmental. She embodied graciousness in all of her relationships and chose to live life with integrity.
The "Greatest Generation" has lost another. Though she has moved beyond our line of sight no day shall erase our memory of her where she will remain a treasure forever in our hearts. She was incredibly resilient and resolute, forging ahead and never looking back. When her condition robbed her of her independence and mobility she did not dwell on her inabilities but planned to buy a flashy convertible or new red truck and build a cabin on the Sylamore creek so that she could live by herself. She exemplified the Arthur Ashe motto of "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." and above all, no complaints or self-pity.
Mom, if love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.
The family would like to thank the loving caregivers that helped with Mom over the past several years. From the House of Three; Koy Butler, Ms. Margaret, Ms. Wilma, Ms. Mary, Ms. Kathy, Ms. Evelyn, Ms. Pearl, Ms. Liz. Eula and Sam Bones, Lorraine Burris, Linda Ziegler, Arkansas Hospice all who treated her with dignity and compassion. A special thanks to sister Rachel Davis and nieces Cheryl Lewis, Paula Gray and Tracy Davis.
A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, September 30 from 1-4 at Trapnall Hall, 423 E Capitol, Little Rock. Cremation will be made by Arkansas Cremation (arkansascremation.com). Nai’s ashes will be spread next to her husband Gene and with her sister Fran’s ashes at Initial Rock on her ancestral family farm on the Little Red River in Pangburn, AR.
Nai was predeceased by her husband Gene and sisters Sammy Pollard and Francis Lewis. Nai is survived by her children, Roger Kim Hooks (Lori) and Karen Hooks, DVM; sister Rachel Davis; brother Jack Lewis; Grandson John Andrew (Amy) Ledbetter; granddaughter Kana Williams; great-grandchildren Karson, Cayson, and Keller Williams; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews that she loved dearly.
Memorials may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org 877.TEAM.WWP (832.6997). 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Acknowledgments sent to 1900 Foreman Drive, Little Rock, AR 72227.
Nai was born at home on October 24, 1931, the second child to the late Linis and Evelyn Medlin Lewis in Pangburn, Arkansas.
Always an athlete, Nai played basketball in high school, and graduated early from Pangburn High at 16 to join her sister Sammy at Hendrix College where she served on the Homecoming court when Sammy was homecoming queen. These sisters were very close and yet very different in personality with outgoing Sammy including the much more reserved Nai in everything - whether she wanted it or not! It was at Hendrix where Nai met the love of her life, B. Gene Hooks. Always determined, Nai graduated at a young age from Hendrix, and married Gene by the age of 19. They enjoyed 61 years together.
In their early careers together, Nai and Gene, secured teaching jobs in Leslie, AR. The following years saw moves to Eureka Springs, Springdale, and Alma. In 1959, they moved to Little Rock. Nai taught physical education at Central High School and later went on to complete her Master’s Degree in Library Science from the University of Arkansas. Nai worked as a librarian at Parkview Senior High and Forest Heights Junior High. After retiring in the mid 1990’s Nai began many years of caregiving for her mother, and later for her husband, Gene.
Nai was an outstanding bridge player and voracious reader. She enjoyed decorating her home and shopping for fashionable clothing. Even when it became difficult for her to communicate, she was quick to notice if you had a new pair of shoes or attractive handbag.
She liked quiet times but her greatest joy came from family gatherings. She found joy and passion in everyday things. She loved children, animals, swimming in her swimming pool and gardening.
Nai had a calm and steady nature, and was a fixture of strength for all that knew her. She was kind, compassionate, empathetic and was always willing to make time for others. She lived each day with grace, humor and caring for what mattered. Nai was always inclusive, and never judgmental. She embodied graciousness in all of her relationships and chose to live life with integrity.
The "Greatest Generation" has lost another. Though she has moved beyond our line of sight no day shall erase our memory of her where she will remain a treasure forever in our hearts. She was incredibly resilient and resolute, forging ahead and never looking back. When her condition robbed her of her independence and mobility she did not dwell on her inabilities but planned to buy a flashy convertible or new red truck and build a cabin on the Sylamore creek so that she could live by herself. She exemplified the Arthur Ashe motto of "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." and above all, no complaints or self-pity.
Mom, if love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.
The family would like to thank the loving caregivers that helped with Mom over the past several years. From the House of Three; Koy Butler, Ms. Margaret, Ms. Wilma, Ms. Mary, Ms. Kathy, Ms. Evelyn, Ms. Pearl, Ms. Liz. Eula and Sam Bones, Lorraine Burris, Linda Ziegler, Arkansas Hospice all who treated her with dignity and compassion. A special thanks to sister Rachel Davis and nieces Cheryl Lewis, Paula Gray and Tracy Davis.
A celebration of her life will be held on Sunday, September 30 from 1-4 at Trapnall Hall, 423 E Capitol, Little Rock. Cremation will be made by Arkansas Cremation (arkansascremation.com). Nai’s ashes will be spread next to her husband Gene and with her sister Fran’s ashes at Initial Rock on her ancestral family farm on the Little Red River in Pangburn, AR.
Nai was predeceased by her husband Gene and sisters Sammy Pollard and Francis Lewis. Nai is survived by her children, Roger Kim Hooks (Lori) and Karen Hooks, DVM; sister Rachel Davis; brother Jack Lewis; Grandson John Andrew (Amy) Ledbetter; granddaughter Kana Williams; great-grandchildren Karson, Cayson, and Keller Williams; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews that she loved dearly.
Memorials may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org 877.TEAM.WWP (832.6997). 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, FL 32256
Acknowledgments sent to 1900 Foreman Drive, Little Rock, AR 72227.
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