Calvin "Tootie" Hooper

Calvin “Tootie” Hooper was born on May 10th, 1956 in Tahlequah, OK, the son of Roy and Nannie (Handle) Hooper. He was raised with three brothers and seven sisters, Inez, Rufus, Irene, Wanda, James, Bobby, Ida, Louise, Sue Ann and Nina. He attended Oaks Mission School, he stayed as long as he could but never truly liked attending classes. What he did like to do, was work on engines, car engines both big and small. He worked as a mechanic at Kelly Brothers Automotive for years. He met and was married to Deborah Poulter in July of 1980. He was happy all of the time, never complaining, taking each new day as he found it and loving the sunset from his own yard. He loved to go on long country side drives, looking at the scenery and visiting with people he met along the way. On any given day, you would find him over at Southside Diner ordering a Special no cheese and a diet Dr. Pepper. Sometimes he treated himself to a dip cone for an extra treat. He sure did love his Southside family. He was the friend and neighbor that always made himself available to help others, day or night. He loved his Cherokee heritage and was a Cherokee First Speaker. He loved to sing the old gospel songs in Cherokee especially e-lo-hi. He was a member of New Greenleaf Church and seldom missed a chance to attend the gatherings at the church. He adored his family, any chance to gather and spend the holiday together was a good time for Calvin. He was the proud father of his son, Matthew. He loved any chance to talk and spend time with him. He was also the grandfather to Maria Bear Rodriguez and Matthew “Choogie” Glory. For all he had planned to do in the future, the Lord called this good and faithful servant home from his labors on February 10th, 2022 in Tahlequah, OK. He was 65 years old and will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Levi and Aggie (Chunstudy) Handle, his mother and father and his late wife Deborah Poulter and his brothers and sisters, Inez Carpenter, Rufus Hooper, Irene Cochran, Wanda Campbell, James Hooper, Bobby Hooper, Ida Vann, Louise Hooper, and Sue Ann Pritchett.

Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Matthew Hooper of Tahlequah, OK, and his sister, Nina Washington and husband Johnny of Tahlequah, OK. He also leaves his grandchildren, Maria Bear Rodriguez of Montana and Matthew Glory of Tahlequah, as well as his very special friend, Carolyn Ballard, many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Calvin Hooper will be held on Friday, February 18th, 2022 at 2:00 PM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Pastor Gil Hooper and Brother Mark Pritchett officiating. He will be laid to rest at Barber Cemetery with his family. Pallbearers for Calvin include Jonathan Washington, Brandon Washington, Anthony Pritchett, Vaughn Clark, Ronnie Brown, and Kevin Vann. His honorary pallbearers include AJ Washington, Hunter Washington, and Kevin Lane.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Hooper family.