In 1965 when I was 6 years old I attended my grandfather’s funeral in this church. I sat on the hard oak pews to the right of the casket that displayed his body. I sat with  my 2 older sisters, my mother and my father. I remember sitting there for what seemed “forever.” My middle sister cried , so I cried. My older sister didn’t cry much so, I stopped crying. This was my very first funeral and I wasn’t sure how to act.  As I sat quietly , I began to ponder those great existential questions. What would I become and what would become of me?

    After the service I remember going behind the church which was a cemetery. My dad told me 2 things, “don’t step on the graves” and pointing he said, “that’s your great grandpa.” Thats when I gained my first insight into what would likely become of me.

    In 2022 we put my dad in the ground, in the same cemetery, in nearly the same row as his grandfather, father, mother, brothers, cousins and many other relatives. I am more knowledgeable today about my own genealogy compared to 1965 so, while I was  there I scanned the tombstones and realized I am related to (either by blood or marriage) many of the folks buried in the Hooker cemetery.

    If you are reading this, it is likely you also have relatives buried in the Hooker cemetery. Maybe you’ve also been to the church for funerals and many other different activities through the years. If you feel moved to support this church renovation project in honor of our relatives please do so. The people who settled here are the reason we are here. This land is a place where many of us will also be returned to. Please join me in giving generously to the new roof campaign. The new roof will allow us to keep our building and have a way to honor the pioneers of Pulaski County, Missouri. Thank you for considering this requests.

Thank you for sharing this post! Make checks out to;

Hooker Cemetery Association and deposit at

Infuze Credit Union

Waynesville Branch

PO Box 2009/1300 historic 66w

Waynesville, Mo. 65583