Seeking Susie

Dora Mae (Brown) Hooks, a former Monrovia resident, died on November 27, 2011, at her home in Hemet, Ca. Dora was born on February 12, 1929 in Los Angeles, Ca. She attended the
public school system in Monrovia and graduated in 1948.

Dora was best known in the San Gabriel Valley, for her beautiful soprano voice.. In the early sixties, she became a soloist at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Monrovia. She also sang with The Cantiones Sacrae, under the direction of William D. Hall, which later became the William Hall Chorale. In 1966, she traveled to Europe with the group as part of the chorale and soloist, and remained with the group until the mid-seventies. In the late 1980's, she joined The Albert McNeill Jubilee Singers, and that same year, traveled to Israel with the group. She continued with the group until the end of the season, and retired from chorale work.

Dora is survived by her three children, Deborah Victoria Hooks, Arnett Garland Hooks, and Cecil Garnett Hooks; six grandchildren, Robert Todd Hooks (Kywana), Theresa Nicole Hooks, Joseph Turner Hooks, Jordan Robert Hooks, Christopher Garnett Hooks (Katie), Melissa Hooks; eleven great-grandchildren; her nephews Carl Eugene Walden (Patricia), Rodney Allen Hooks, Todd Gordon Hooks (Theresa), nieces Betty Eileen (Fisher) Thomas and Jackie (Fisher) Ford, godsons, Christopher Alden Johnson and James Roy Mackey, and other family members and friends.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held on January 7, 2012, at 11:00am, at St. Jude's Church, 111 S. Sixth Street, Burbank, Ca. 91501.
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Published in Pasadena Star-News on January 1, 2012