Bonnie Hooks

Bonnie Gene Scott Hooks June 5, 1931 – August 25, 2021

Bonnie was born in Studley, Kansas, a tiny “town” in Sheridan County. She was the fifth of eight children born to George Winfield Scott and Margaret Pearl Jones Scott. The family moved to Alamo, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley, when she was 12. Bonnie stayed in Alamo, using $500 she earned as a teenaged carhop to buy land that would eventually hold the house in which she raised her own kids – seven of them!

Working hard to provide for her family, Bonnie took on a variety of jobs over the years. Waitress, preschool teacher and bookkeeper. Telephone dispatcher, office manager for the Alamo Chamber of Commerce and, in later years, a Walmart greeter. Her tenacity and work ethic are reflected in her children. Bonnie was fiercely proud of them – a pride that grew with each generation.

Not a big fan of idle time, Bonnie devoted happy hours and energy to her hobbies and interests when she wasn’t at work. Many of them were related to her deep love of nature: gardening; watching birds, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other wildlife; and wildflowers – especially bluebonnets. She was a prolific poet, often writing personal thoughts about living life, being her own person, nature and other things dear to her. She enjoyed garage sales – especially if she could snare some bottles for making bottle trees. Bonnie liked to read and she enjoyed telling stories and jokes as well. She was passionate about all things Texas, from memorabilia to history, and was very patriotic as well.

And she loved, loved, loved classic country music. In the mid-1990s, Bonnie moved to Smithville, Texas. She enjoyed going with friends to listen to good music and maybe a little boot-scootin’ to go with it.

Her busy life earned Bonnie the nickname “Granny Go-Go” among her grandkids and their kids. As busy as she was, Bonnie always made time to be with the youngsters in the family. They have many fond memories of her reading to them, making up fun things to do and just hanging with them.

A practical and straightforward woman, Bonnie was never one to put on airs or pretense. She had a giant heart – and she wasn’t afraid to use it. She was kind and generous. Many of her acts of kindness were behind the scenes out of the spotlight. She was never afraid to speak her mind and, with skill and wit, could always get her point across to anyone around.

Bonnie was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Vivian Lorraine Scott Lyon, Margaret Elaine Scott Casebier, Eleanor Rose Scott Eatherly, Marvel Jeanine Scott Landis, Shirley La Von Scott Myers; brother George Workman Scott; her son William (Bill) Grover Hooks; and her daughter Rose Marie Hooks.

She is survived by her sister Mava Evon Scott Branham, brother in-law Homer D. Myers; daughters Terrie G. Hooks Brisbine (Craig); Charlene F. Hooks Benavides; Dana J. Hooks Kerby (Charles Felton); Cheryl K. Hooks Earnest (Clarke Jay); Bonnie Lori Hooks (Sam Hunt); and daughter in-law Patty Hooks (Bill). Bonnie is also fondly remembered by 11 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews, and friends from all over. The family is planning a memorial service at a later time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Audubon Society - Texas, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center or Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation are welcome.