MARY WARD HOOKS

Mary Ward Hooks, age 94, of Donalsonville, GA, passed away Thursday morning, Feb. 12, 2026, at her residence.  

Graveside services for Mrs. Hooks will be held on Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Friendship Cemetery with Rev. Michael Wingertsahn officiating.  Interment will immediately follow the service.  

Mrs. Hooks was born in Soperton, GA on September 5, 1931, to James Blackmon Ward and Annice Richardson Ward.  She worked with the Seminole County Board of Education as a librarian at the high school for a number of years before her retirement.  Mrs. Hooks loved reading and the Atlanta Braves.  She loved spending time with her family and was known for her pecan pies, a tasty treat that is still being made by the younger family members to this day.  Mrs. Hooks loved her church family at First Baptist Donalsonville and being in attendance with them, but when it became too difficult to be there in person, she looked forward each Sunday to watching and hearing the sermon on Facebook.  She and her sister Joann could often be seen sitting in the Piggly Wiggly parking lot, eating their ice cream from Dairy Queen, while visiting with anyone who stopped to speak.  They truly loved those special outings together.

She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughter, Gina Swanner and husband Ladon Swanner, Jr.; her grandchildren, Richard Adams and Kelly, Erica Powell and Clayton, and Robbie Humphrey and Tammy; her great grandchildren, Barry Adams and Faith, Cidney Adams, Everett Powell, Emmy Powell, and Miles Powell; and her great great grandchildren, Jeremiah Adams, Braxton Adams, and Easton Adams.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Mrs. Hooks was preceded in death by her parents, James B. Ward and Annice Richardson Ward; her husband, James Hollis Hooks, Jr.; her brothers, James B. Ward, Jr. and Archie Sam Ward; her sisters, Glenda Nordman and JoAnn Williams; and her daughter, Deborah Dickens.