Alice Ingram Hooker

Alice Ingram Hooker, who spent her life serving a spectrum of Middle Tennessee with leadership and compassion, died Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at her Hunting Hollow home in Williamson County after an extended illness. Mrs. Hooker, a lifelong Nashvillian, will always be remembered for her forthright approach in making a difference, for her lasting kindness and for her deep desire to make Nashville a better place.

An advocate, devoted mother and friend, Mrs. Hooker was born in Nashville on November 8th, 1933 to the late civic leader Hortense Bigelow Ingram and Orrin Henry Ingram, a renowned business leader. She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Henry Williamson Hooker; and by her brothers Erskine Bronson Ingram II and Frederic (Fritz) Bigelow Ingram.

Mrs. Hooker is survived by her sister Patricia Ingram Hart (Rodes Hart); and sister-in-law Martha Rivers Ingram; by her children Bradford Williamson Hooker (Jamie Ball) of Gloucestershire, England; Lisa Hooker Campbell (John Palmer Campbell III) of Nashville; and Timothy Ingram Hooker of Placida, Florida. She is also survived by grandchildren Henry Williamson Hooker II, Alexander Guy Hooker, Alice Hooker Campbell, Eileen Campbell Hart (Christopher Forbes Hart), John Palmer Campbell IV, Charles Ingram Hooker, Heather Louise Hooker and great-grand-daughter Evelyn Elisabeth Hart. She is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Hooker attended Parmer School and Ward-Belmont, graduating from St. Timothy’s School in Baltimore Maryland. She earned a bachelor’s degree in American Culture at Vassar College. In 1956, she married childhood friend Henry Hooker. Mr. Hooker proposed to her while he was attending law school at Tulane University. After earning his degree, they returned to Nashville to raise their three children. They purchased land over 60 years ago and developed a beautiful farm – Hunting Hollow – in Williamson County. Quickly, they became a prominent young couple in Nashville’s equestrian, volunteer, business and society worlds.

Mrs. Hooker was a force. A consummate doer, she gave generously of her resources, time and wisdom. She was a lifelong community servant to almost every facet of our local non-profit sector. Her interests and contributions have ranged from education and children’s healthcare to historical preservation and cultural promotion. Her standards were high, her will and commitment unflinching. Mrs. Hooker was unafraid to roll up her sleeves and stand toe-to-toe – albeit graciously – with the male power brokers of her time. Consequently, she leaves an indelible imprint on Nashville’s community and culture. She was a Founder of the Nashville Memorial Hospital and then The Memorial Foundation, the Tocqueville Society Alpha Chapter of the United Way of Middle Tennessee, and The Friends of The Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

One of her most concerted efforts merged her passion for children’s welfare with her love of horses. In 2015, she and her husband were inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame for that effort. They helped elevate the Iroquois Steeplechase from a unique sporting event into a spectacular citywide fundraiser for what is now the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The Hookers were credited with initiating the fundraising union between the Volunteer State Horsemen’s Association and its Iroquois Steeplechase and the Friends of the Children’s Hospital – a 38-year alliance that has raised more than $10 million for the hospital. In 1986, 1994 and again in 2009, the Steeplechase was dedicated to the Hookers in appreciation.

The list of organizations that have also benefitted from Mrs. Hooker’s clear vision, tireless effort, and sound judgment includes: Vanderbilt University Medical Center Board, the Memorial Foundation, Canby Robinson Society, Iroquois Steeplechase, Cheekwood, the Nashville Symphony, United Way, Leadership Nashville, Project Pencil, the Garden Club of Nashville, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America in the State of Tennessee, Travellers Rest, the Middle Tennessee Pony Club, the Junior League of Nashville, St. Timothy’s School (Baltimore, MD) and the Ensworth School.

Her contributions of selflessness and service were gratefully acknowledged by her peers and serve as an example to those who follow. She received honors from many of these institutions for her volunteer leadership including Cheekwood, the Junior League of Nashville, Travellers Rest, the Memorial Foundation, United Way, the National Society of Colonial Dames of America, St. Timothy’s School and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

An avid horsewoman her entire life, Mrs. Hooker was a member of the Hillsboro Hounds foxhunting organization for 70 years, and, in 2019 became an Honorary Master. Mrs. Hooker also chaired the Iroquois Steeplechase Advisory Committee. She spent many years horse showing on the national circuit and served as a District Commissioner for Middle Tennessee Pony Club.

Passionate about gardening and conservation, she was a president of the Garden Club of Nashville and received the Land Conservation award for Williamson County. She also held many leadership positions at Cheekwood, including Board Chairman, Capital Campaign Director and Executive Committee member of the Swan Ball.

Mrs. Hooker – known as Nana to her grandchildren - was keenly interested in children’s health and education. She was devoted to Children’s Hospital for over 50 years, where she was a longtime board member. She became the first woman to serve as chairman of the Children’s Hospital Board and she was the first woman to chair the Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Board, where she served for many years. She was also a permanent Trustee of Cheekwood, St. Timothy’s School, and The Ensworth School.

At the root of her life were her family and many friends. She delighted in hosting holiday events at Hunting Hollow, dinner gatherings in Wellington, Florida and Hunt Teas with her family in Cornersville, Tennessee.

Visitation with the family will be held at Hunting Hollow on Monday, July 29th from 3 until 7. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Nashville on Tuesday, July 30th at 10 a.m. with burial immediately following the service at Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Honorary Pallbearers are: Lin Andrews, Edie Bass, Nina Bonnie, Nell Bransford, Phyllis Cargile, Susan Castner, Agneta Currey, Emily Kitchel, Joyce Longenacre, Ellen Martin, Sissy McAlister, Carole Nelson, Phoebe Nischan, Shocky P’Pool, Elizabeth Rodgers, Betty Stadler, and Caroline Stevens.

The family would like to extend sincere gratitude to the dedicated caregivers and staff at Hunting Hollow for their care of Mrs. Hooker.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (Attn: Gift and Donor Services, 3322 West End Ave., Ste. 900, Nashville, TN 37203), Cheekwood (1200 Forrest Park Dr., Nashville, TN 37205), The Ensworth School (211 Ensworth Ave., Nashville, TN 37205), or the charity of one’s choice.