Jean Novelle Hoover, age 99, passed away January 11, 2019 in San Antonio, Tx. She was born in Rotan, Fisher County, Texas to L. N. and Nann Yantis on September 2, 1919. In 1943, she briefly served in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps in San Antonio. In 1947, she married a young World War II veteran. Upon his reentering military service, Jean embarked on a long career as an officer’s wife, living at duty stations both stateside and overseas in such places as England, Japan, Philippines, and Germany. During this time, she raised four children, two having been born in San Antonio, one in Ephrata, Washington State, and one in Fairfield, California.
During this time, she displayed many facets of her abilities as a wife and mother. She was an excellent cook and was known for her dinner parties throughout the military duty stations where she lived. She was active in PTA, served as Mother Advisor to the Rainbow Girls, was a member of the Eastern Star, started and rose to the rank of President in Beta Sigma Phi, was a member of the Officers Wives Club, and was active in supporting her children in cub scouts and brownies, to name just a few of her commitments on behalf of her family and herself.
In 1976, Jean retired to San Antonio and was very active in her retirement years. She was a member of Windcrest United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Women group, helped reorganize the church library, and was a member of a Sunday School class. Although very talented with arts and crafts all during her life, she discovered in retirement a talent for painting. Her skill grew rapidly and her paintings were admired and in demand by many people. She was even commissioned to do some paintings of places and things that were important to those who engaged her talent. She then branched into porcelain painting with her primary love of painting and dressing china dolls. She played golf often playing at the Windcrest Country Club. She continued her lifetime involvement with Beta Sigma Phi.
Jean was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and her brother, and Jack Hoover, the father of her four children.
She is survived by her four children, Mark and his wife, Judith Phaneuf, Janice Kucharyski and her husband, Robert, Deborah McCoy and her husband Howard, and Nancy Hoover and her husband Archie McVea; her caregiver, Oralia Lopez; one sister, Nancy Etcheverry; grandchildren Alyssa, Jaden, Courtney, Howard, Devon, Tracy; 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition, she leaves behind many friends from throughout her life.
The visitation will be 11 a.m., Friday, January 18, 2019 followed by the 12 noon Funeral Service at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.
The Hoover children wish to express their deep gratitude to Oralia Lopez, who faithfully and lovingly looked after and took care of our mother for fifteen years, allowing her to remain in her home. Oralia, we love you and will always consider you a part of our family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the favorite charity of your choice.
