Ella Ruby Hooker

ELLA RUBY HOOKER, age 97, of Bel Air, MD, died on June 8, 2007 at her home. Born in Elkin, NC, she was the daughter of the late Elza Edgar and Flora Ellen Settle Howell and wife of the late George Roland Hooker. Mrs. Hooker had been a foster mother and a pillar of strength to the Deaf Community. She was an early member of Harford Furnace Church and started the Deaf ministry at Oak Grove Baptist Church through Sunday school class and a large Deaf choir. She also started and taught Sunday school for the Deaf at the Evangelical Methodist Church in Dublin, Maryland. She was a member of Emmorton Baptist Church in her later years. Mrs. Hooker was a member of the Handicappers Club serving as a liaison between the hearing and non-hearing world. She interpreted in court, at doctor’s offices and hospitals, giving hours each day to help the Deaf and Hearing Impaired communicate and also taught Sign Language classes at Harford Community College and Bel Air High School. Mrs. Hooker was honored in 1996 as one of Harford County’s most beautiful people. Her previous work included teaching the handicapped and the Deaf at the Emmorton School House, John Archer School in Churchville, MD, as well as, Meadowvale School in Havre de Grace, MD. During WWII, she worked as a riveter at Glenn Martin in Baltimore, MD. She had a zest for life and enjoyed art, especially oil painting, writing poetry, playing piano and reading her Bible. She loved animals, especially birds, and was known for sheltering dogs that needed a home. Mrs. Hooker was an avid gardener and loved to can her own fruits and vegetables. She was happiest helping others.

Mrs. Hooker is survived by a son, James R. Hooker of Bel Air, Maryland; a daughter, Margaret N. Kambarn of Bel Air, Maryland; nine grandchildren, David Hooker of Perryville, Maryland, Jimmy Hooker of Texas, Michael Hooker of Abingdon, Maryland, Mark Hooker of Havre de Grace, Maryland, Josette Kuriger of Aberdeen, Maryland, Daniel Hooker of Conowingo Village, Maryland, Marcia Rhodes of Stewartstown, Pennsylvania, Marjorie Oliver of Oxford, Pennsylvania and Michael Kambarn of Arlington, Texas; 21 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by three brothers, William J. Howell, Walter L. Howell and Wylie E. Howell, and two sisters, Alice Howell and Ethel N. Howell.

Those who desire may contribute to the Emmorton Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1515, Bel Air, MD 21014.