Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, at Mt. Zion M. B. Church for Mr. Joe Nathan Hooker, 71, who died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, at Forrest General Hospital, Hattiesburg. Rev. Ozell White, pastor, officiated with interment following in the Griffith Cemetery. Johnson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Joe Nathan Hooker was born in Jefferson Davis County to the late Henry and Ella Ree Ward Hooker. He attended Oakley Elementary and Prentiss Institute. He was a truck driver. He was married to Mrs. Hazel Hooker.

He was preceded in death by: brothers, Charles Williams, Jimmy Dean and Johnny Lee Hooker; sister, Lillie Ree Deen.He is survived by: wife, Hazel Lee Hooker; sons, Joe N. Hooker Jr. of Prentiss, Tarvas Murphy of Houston, Texas and Tywon Gowdy of Meridian; daughters, Thelma Hooker, Danetta Jones, Veronica Hooker and Felicia Hooker, all of Prentiss; Brenda Pittman and Yolanda (Anthony) Eggleston of Memphis, Tennessee; Roanda (Bernard) Watkin and Devona Murphy of Indianola; Veronice (Eddie) Murphy and Iris Green of Houston, Texas; brothers, Robert (Minnie) Hooker of Jackson; Henry and Hollie Hooker both of Prentiss; sister, Lillie Washington of Prentiss; 37 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.