Pastor Jessie W. Hooper

Pastor Jessie Willard Hooper passed away peacefully early July 5, 2008 at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Battle Creek, MI . An only child, he was born October 5, 1919 to Clodie and Florence Mae Hooper in Atoka (Memphis), Tennessee . He attended Grant School and later became a tenant farmer. At the tender age of 12 years old, he answered his call into the ministry and began preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Young Jessie would often preach in several churches around the Memphis area. In 1939, he married Ruby Lee McGee and soon after, they started their family. In 1943, at the age of 24, Jessie enlisted in the Army where he served as the Chaplain for his unit. During his enlistment, while he traveled, he kept several diaries of his experiences and his adventures. He would often preach at the churches in the cities where he was stationed and visited. He enjoyed listening to and playing music. One could often find him singing, playing the guitar, piano, harmonica and even the tambourine! As a young husband and father, he was not pleased with working in the fields. Upon his discharge from the United States Army, he decided that he wanted to improve himself and provide for his family; therefore, he sought other employment. He applied for a job opening at the Kennedy General Veterans’ Affair Hospital in Memphis , Tennessee. Although he was not hired at that particular place, he was informed of an employee shortage at the Veterans Hospitals in Michigan. In 1952, he then moved his wife and family to Battle Creek, Michigan, and began his employment with the Veterans Affairs Medical Center , (VA), as a Nurse’s Assistant. In 1981, he retired after 33 years, where he was bestowed with special honors and awards for both Outstanding Attendance and Outstanding Service. He and his family served under Superintendent S.L. Coles, at Stranger’s Home Church of God in Christ in the 1950’s. In the early 1960’s, he was appointed Pastor of Bethlehem COGIC by the late Bishop J.S. Bailey, Southwest Michigan Jurisdiction. He was extremely instrumental in building Fox Street Church of God in Christ, which is currently Bethlehem Temple Church of God in Christ, which he built alone. In the early 1970’s, he became Pastor of the little red building on North Washington Avenue, known as Hooper Temple Church of God in Christ. With this new ministry, Pastor Hooper became “ Superintendent Hooper” of Grace District in Northeast Michigan Diocese, under the late Bishop C.J. Johnson and the current Bishop P.A. Brooks, First Assistant, Presiding Bishop, Church Of God In Christ, Inc. He served as Grace District Superintendent until 1988, and dutifully served under his son-in-law, the late Superintendent Levarn Smith. He has traveled to several national and state Church of God in Christ meetings. Many individuals and families were blessed by his ministry. Several members have gone on to form their own ministries, as testament to the teachings of Superintendent J.W. Hooper. In 1984, by faith, he was called to build a larger edifice. He was led by God to change the name to Faith Temple Church of God in Christ where he continued as pastor until his health started to decline. Keeping with the tradition, Faith Temple is now under the leadership of his son, Elder Joe L. Hooper. Pastor J.W. Hooper was a great preacher who enjoyed reading The Word of God. His quiet nature afforded him to be able to make wise business decisions and get the work done, but it is his mighty voice he used for singing, praying and delivering the Word, that will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Ora Lee Hooper and a son, Marvin Lewis Hooper; two grandchildren, Pamela Elaine Herbert and Michael Joseph Hooper; 5 son-in-laws, LeRoy Joplin, James Herbert, Donald Carter, Lee D. McCoy, and Supt. Levarn Smith, Sr. Pastor Hooper is survived by his children: 8 daughters; Hazel Marie of Atlanta, Georgia, Mary Ruth McCoy, of Georgia, Shirley Jean Herbert, Verna Louise Hooper and Deborah Jeannette Hooper, all of Battle Creek, MI, Annie Mae (Pastor Walter) Smith-Lang, of Muskegon, MI, Evelyn “Luella”(Charles) Hill, Beatrice D. Carter, all of Detroit, and 2 sons, Jesse Hooper, and Joe (Shermell) Hooper, of Detroit, MI. 35 grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Pastor Hooper…“May God Bless you and Heaven Smile on You”

Pastor Jessie W. Hooper

October 5, 1919 - July 5, 2008