NORTH VERNON
Sue Ann (Nay) Hooker, 68, of North Vernon, went to her heavenly home on July 24, 2024. She was born in Seymour, Indiana on August 24, 1955, the daughter of the late Donald Earl Nay and Nancy Swick Nay, who survives in Seymour, Indiana. On June 5, 1976, she married Rob Hooker at the Crothersville Christian Church. They had met at Milligan College in Tennessee while on a service project outreach at a nearby Children’s Home. It was love at first sight!
In addition to her husband, Sue Ann is survived by her two sons: Nathan (Rachel) Hooker of Richmond, Ky; and Nevan Hooker of the Philippines; two grandchildren, Kaleb and Kiersten Hooker of Richmond, Ky; one brother, Steve (Julie) Nay of Seymour, In; her sister-in-law, Rachel Nay of Seymour, In; her father-in-law, Bob Hooker of Seymour, In; sister-in-law, Kathy (Roger) Simmons of Brookfield, Connecticut; Aunt, Becky (Dean) Hammond of Wilmore, Ky; uncles, Dave (Gloria) Swick of Waterloo, Iowa, and Tom (Lynn) Swick of Marquette, Michigan, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She was preceded in death by her father, Donald Nay, her brother, Paul Nay, her mother-in-law, Rosemary Hooker, her paternal grandparents, Earl and Della Nay, and her maternal grandparents, Harold and Ann Swick.
Sue Ann earned a B.S. degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Indiana University and a M.S. degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Illinois. She was a stay-at-home mom during her sons’ formative years; a sacrifice that she never regretted.
Upon entering the workforce as a speech pathologist, she began her career at the same school she had completed her student teaching assignment in Champaign, Illinois. She was on the staff that led the school from being the lowest performing to the highest performing school in the district after only a few short years. Then President Ronald Reagan, honored the school with the “Excellence in Education” award at the White House Rose Garden. In addition, the school was featured in a nationally televised documentary hosted by Barbara Bush and Meredith Baxter Birney (Family Ties fame).
During that era, Sue Ann authored a speech book that was sold internationally. Later, she and her family moved back to Indiana and she spent the remaining years of her 31 year career in the Jennings County Schools at North Vernon Elementary.
Sue Ann was a faithful member of Jennings Church of Christ. She dearly loved the Lord and loved studying the Bible with children and adults. She taught Sunday School, and VBS was always a highlight of her summers. Sue Ann had a strong desire for people to come to know the Lord and live by His Word.
Her hobbies and favorite pastimes included: inviting family and friends over to swim and play water volleyball, looking for bargains at thrift stores, calligraphy, crocheting, decorating for each season and she especially enjoyed entertaining her beloved grandchildren.
Family and friends may visit Adams Funeral Home in Crothersville on Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM. The celebration of her life funeral service will be at Adams Family Funeral Home in Crothersville at 11:00 AM on Friday, August 2, 2024. Family and friends may also visit from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM on Friday, August 2, 2024.
Given Sue Ann’s commitment to faith and education, in lieu of flowers, please consider making a memorial contribution in her honor to Columbus Christian School of North Vernon.