Katie E. (Emerson) Hooks

Katie Hooks was born Mae Katherine Emerson on May 8, 1936, in Winnsboro, South Carolina to the late Charlie and Mrs. Pearl Emerson. Katie was the third of 5 children born to Charlie and Pearl, but by far the most inquisitive. Growing up Katie longed for excitement and was said to always be on the go. Katie attended the Winnsboro School District and graduated from Fairfield High School. After graduating, Katie met and married David Hooks in 1954, and moved to Passaic, New Jersey where she joined the St. Paul Baptist Church family. During her 30 plus years at St. Paul, Katie served on both the Scholarship Aide committee and the Gospel Chorus. Later, Katie joined Bethel A.M.E under the pastoral leadership of the late Reverend Oliver Thomas. At Bethel she became an active member of the scholarship Committee where she served for a time as Vice President. Katie was also a Sunday school worker and faithful member until her illness no longer allowed her to attend. Katie was drawn to the hustle and bustle of Passaic and soon became engrossed in the close knit community, making lifelong friends. Her love of Passaic led to her becoming active in many organizations and events in the city. Katie was a member and past Vice President of the Passaic chapter of the NAACP, *****(List organizations David has the list). Katie worked for 10 years at the Latch Simpson Dental Lab in Paterson and then as an interviewer for the Passaic Housing Authority where she retired in 2003 after 20 years of service. Katie worked on many political campaigns in Passaic with her friend Jerry Simms and soon saw the election of the right people as vital to the city's well being. In 1981, Katie was appointed to the Passaic Board of Education in the spot left vacant by her good friend Max Tananbaum and went on to be elected to the Board in her own right. During her time as Board member Katie fought tirelessly for the children of Passaic. Katie Hooks was known to be a wealth of information and a connector of resources for the city as well as for her family. Katie will be missed by many. Katie is predeceased by her parents and siblings, Margaret Oree Emerson, Rubye Clayborne, Arlene Pressley and John Emerson. She leaves to mourn her passing her beloved nieces Melanie Pressley of Hamilton, NJ and Malissa Pressley Coleman (Anthony) of Passaic, NJ, Carol Whittington, Frisco, TX and Francesca Emerson, St. Augustine, Florida and two nephews, Michael Clayborne of Winnsboro, SC and Andrew Clayborne of Monroe, SC, one Uncle, John Ed Caldwell (wife) of Hartford, Connecticut as well as special great niece, Ashley Coleman of Paterson, NJ and her brothers Brian and Michael Coleman of Passaic, 7 additional great nieces and nephews, adopted niece Mae Ray of Passaic, a slew of adoring cousins, many close friends and the entire community of the city of Passaic.