Jolene Hooper's Obituary
Mrs. Jolene Hooper, Miami resident, passed away in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, after a short stay at The Journey Home. Jolene was born on June 6, 1944, in Miami to Cyrus Jr. and Delora (Ketcher) Washington. She was a member of the First Assembly of God Church. Graduated with the Class of 1962 from Miami High School; she later attended a business school in Houston, TX. She married Robert Leon Hooper on September 6, 1975. She and Robert ran Hooper Auto Sales together for more than 25 years. Jolene always stayed busy. She worked at Glen-Berry’s in Commerce, dentist office, First Assembly of God Church, Jeanie’s Dress Shop, ran an exercise facility, sold Avon for forty plus years, and leading up to her passing, she worked part-time at the Ottawa County Clerk’s Office cleaning and decorating offices all in Miami.
She and Robert traveled from Coast to Coast, mostly driving, so they could see what was along the way and visit family. She was a proud member of the Cherokee Nation and the Delaware Tribe; she would often attend the local pow-wows and family reunions. Jolene enjoyed trips to Branson, Eureka and the annual craft fairs in Arkansas and attending Coleman Theater events, especially the Elvis performers. Above all else, she loved her family, always supported her grandsons in their school events, activities and sports, playing board games, going to big family gatherings for holidays, special occasions, reunion picnics at Twin Bridges and taking family and friends to see the spooklight. The big family gatherings at Christmas were her favorite where she would display her beautiful bows she would make and decorate not only her house but helped others with their holiday festivities. She regularly visited senior living facilities, nursing homes and homebound friends all the way up to her health issues starting in early 2024. Mrs. Hooper was preceded in passing by her husband Robert Leon Hooper, her parents Cyrus and Delora Washington, her siblings; Lowayne Vandeventer, Lois Carr, Doris Kley, and Kenneth Washington.
Those left to share Jolene’s memory are her daughter Tracy Smallwood and her husband Steven of Claremore, her brother James Washington and his wife Nancy of Austin, Texas, her grandchildren Cole Priddy and husband Nathan Bazeth of Chicago, Dalton Smallwood and wife Bryce of Wake Forrest, North Carolina and Noah Smallwood of Claremore. She was also blessed with extended family including Joyce Stapleton of Chetopa, Kansas, Jena Davidson and her husband James of Miami, Doug Hooper and his wife Sherry of Sahuarita, Arizona and Dennis Hooper of Joplin, Missouri, Kimberly Moon and her husband Jeff of Mound Valley, Kansas and Christopher Stepleton of Chetopa, Kansas along with her many nieces, nephews and cousins.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Jolene 2:00 PM, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at First Assembly of God in Miami with Reverend Micah Wells officiating. Arrangements have been placed in the care of Brown-Winters Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Miami.
The family has asked that memorial contributions be made to The Journey Home, 900 NE Washington Blvd, Bartlesville, OK 74006.
Friends and family may send the family notes of encouragement by viewing Jolene's Tribute Page at www.brown-winters.com.
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