Irene Hooks

Irene Hooks, 81, of Poplar Bluff, died Friday, Dec. 29, 2006 at her residence.

Mrs. Hooks was born Sept. 30, 1925, in Essex, Mo. She was a member of First Baptist Church, in Poplar Bluff where she attended the Pastor's Sunday School Class and belonged to the Joy Senior Group as well. Mrs. Hooks had retired from Smiley Container Co. and from the Butler and Ripley Juvenile Center as a houseparent. She enjoyed reading, cooking and gardening.

On Feb. 8, 1947, she married Charles Ulen Hooks, in Piggott, Ark. He preceded her in death on Dec. 22, 1982.

Survivors include her daughter, Jackie Cryer, of Poplar Bluff; three grandchildren, Rebecca Fredwell and husband Jamie, Steve Eason and fiance Dawn Freeman and Michael Eason and wife Sarah; five great-grandchildren, Trevin Eason, Nicole Eason, Rachel Eason, Matthew Fredwell and Landon Elledge; and her twin sister, Ilene Warren, of Birmingham, Mich.

Her parents, James and Grace (Land) Sitz, a son, James C. ""Jim"" Hooks and seven brothers, Clarence Sitz, Lorance, Sitz, Bert Sitz, Duewaine Sitz, Orval Sitz, Ernest Sitz and Eugene Sitz also preceded Mrs. Hooks in death.

Visitation will be from 6 - 8 p.m. Monday at Cotrell Funeral Chapel, in Poplar Bluff. The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Chapel, with Dr. William Vail officiating. Burial will be at the Essex Cemetery, in Essex.