Mary Jo Hooser

Mary Jo Hooser passed peacefully from this life to the next, on the 13th of January, 2012, at the age of 85, following a full and joyful life that took her literally from a Depression-era East Texas farm to the Capitol Governor’s Office.

Jo was born on the 29th of March 1926 in Kaufman County, Texas to Thomas Jefferson and Mary Allie Stephens. She grew up on a small farm near Wills Point, Texas with two older brothers and two younger sisters. After high school, she moved to Dallas to attend business school, then on to Wichita Falls for her first job as a secretary at Sheppard Field, U.S. Army Air Force, during World War II. There, she met a dashing young sergeant from Plainview, Texas, who won her heart. Jo married Jim Hooser in October 1945 and they later returned to Plainview, where Jim began farming with his father and completed his college education at Texas Tech. Jo eagerly took on the role of wife at age 19, and became a mother at 20.

As with many women of The Greatest Generation, the early focus of Jo’s life was raising the children and supporting her husband’s career. Due in no small part to Jo’s many talents, grace, and sound judgment, Jim’s career in public education began its ascent during the 1950s. Jo was active in the Junior League and other civic organizations. She brought the most sought-after pies to church socials; she never missed a PTA, Cub Scout or Brownie meeting; and in her spare time, Jo developed a passion for bridge and ballroom dancing. The family moved to Austin in 1958, as Jim began developing his reputation as an advocate for public education.

In the mid-1960s, a new chapter in Jo’s life opened as she accepted a staff position for then Lt. Governor, and later Governor, Preston Smith. When he first assumed the office, Governor Smith asked Jo to serve as the receptionist in his official Capitol Office, telling her “you’ll be the first person anyone who comes to see me will meet, so I know they’ll be in a good mood when they walk through my door.” Later, Jo also served as first assistant to Commissioner of Mental Health/Mental Retardation Dr. Kenneth Gaver, and as a staff member to State Senator Grant Jones. Altogether, Jo’s professional life lasted more than 25 years and resulted in many treasured friendships lasting the rest of her life. In retirement, Jo and Jim were both involved in community and church activities and traveled frequently.

Over time, Jo also evolved into “Mamie,” the much-beloved grandmother of three and great-grandmother of two. Her smile, sense of fun and love graced every significant event in their lives – graduations, football games, summer camps, weddings, holidays and birthdays.

Jo’s beloved husband Jim passed away in February 2011. Her two brothers, Fred and T.J. Stephens, also predeceased her. Jo is survived by her two sisters: June Watson of Tyler, and Dot McElveen and her husband Archie of Bedford; son Greg Hooser and his wife Anne of Austin; daughter Pam Binder and her husband Joe of Austin; grandson Austin Hooser, and granddaughter, Aubrey Hooser, both of Austin; and grandson Allen Hooser and his wife, Leslie and great-grandsons, Reagan and Will, of Plano.

Visitation with the family is scheduled for Monday, the 16th of January 2012 from six o’clock in the evening until eight o’clock at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar. A Memorial Service will be conducted in the Colonial Chapel of Cook-Walden Funeral Home on Tuesday, the 17th of January 2012 at two o’clock in the afternoon.