love

Love x love.

Top row: Jesse and Sarah Henderson Jacobs; M. John and Delphia Taylor Locus; James and Narcissa Dunn Howard; and Castonoble and Della Gary Hooks.

Second row: Spencer and Bitha Richardson Shaw; Colon and Christine Artis Currie; Joseph and Nettie Peacock Shaw; Benjamin and Phereby Barnes Artis.

Third row: Haywood and Agnes Bullock Armstrong; William and Ethel Cornwell Hines; Kenneth and Nina Darden Speight; Jesse and Sarah Barnes Barnes.

Bottom row: Roderick Taylor and Hattie Mae Henderson; Lawrence and Mary Pender Hagans; Theodore and Edith Barnes Ellis; and Rederick and Beverly Allen Henderson.

In honor and memory of Della Mae Hooks.

Della Mae Gary Hooks (1961-2023). Rest in power.

Today we honor the memory of Della Hooks, beloved wife and helpmeet of our stalwart warrior, Castonoble Hooks. Della was the force behind Lane Street Project’s Senior Force, and her sudden loss leaves us bereft. Her kindness, her quiet strength, her boundless generosity were gifts she shared with all she encountered. When my own family was hurting, she spoke to us in her love language by sending dish after dish of barbecued ribs, chicken salad, cabbage, and macaroni and cheese, and we were grateful.

Cass, we honor the beautiful life and spirit of your wife Della. We lift you up in this dark hour. Your bond with Della was profoundly blessed, and your poetic tributes to her on even ordinary days showed us love in action. May your grief come gently. We love you.

Photo courtesy of Chris Facey.