Merlyn Louis Hooker's Obituary
Merlyn Louis Hooker was born on May 14, 1940 to Rosezella Geneva James and Floyd Allen Hooker in Hanover, Virginia. Although born in Virginia, Merlyn was a proud New Yorker which began when the family moved to New York in the early 1940’s. The family lived in various parts of the city and then settled in what Merlyn would call “the world famous Coogan’s Bluff”. Sitting on the western shores of the Harlem River, it was more formerly known as Colonial Projects. Merlyn attended PS 90 elementary, JW Stitt Jr. High School and Chelsea Vocational High School, where he was introduced to plastics and woodworking, which would become his life’s work. Later he went on to attend LaSalle University and received a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Merlyn loved living in New York and spent his teenage and young adult years with his running buddies, Charles Sass, Julius Ellison and Frankie Spellman. They were always together, and oh the stories that have been shared. They shared a love for fine clothing, well-coiffed hair, pretty cars and pretty girls! Together, Merlyn thoroughly enjoyed all that the city had to offer. From attending family gatherings, church and cultural events, major sporting events to the glamourous NY nightlife. From NY Giants baseball games at the Polo Grounds; The NY Yankees at Yankee Stadium, The Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field; Shows at the Apollo Theatre; Dinners at Mama Leone’s Restaurant; and Dancing at the Copacabana Club. Either by car or train, Merlyn and crew were there. Merlyn loved music and could be heard singing Do Wop alone or as a member of his social club “The Select Corbels”. These were great ‘times, shared with great friends that would last a lifetime. New York was home, but every summer was spent in Montpelier, VA. Which included returning to his lifelong church home Mt. Olivet Baptist church where he accepted Christ and was baptized in the pond next to the church. Merlyn then finds his Life’s Love. Merlyn met Evelyn Penick at St. Mathews Baptist Church through his buddy Charles and Charles’ sister Mildred. Merlyn began courting, talking, hanging out, attending church with Evelyn in 1961. Evelyn was immediately struck by Merlyn’s pleasant way of speaking and kind demeanor. It also wasn’t lost on her how much pride he took in his dress and handsome features. (Girl, the man is fine! Evelyn was heard to exclaim!) They dated for the next two years and did everything and went everywhere together. On January 19, 1963, with Charles Sass as his best man and sister Carolyn Hooker as Evelyn’s maid of honor, Merlyn and Evelyn were married by Reverend John J. Sass at the place where they met…. St. Mathews Baptist Church. Shortly after their marriage, Merlyn joined the United States Air Force and was transferred to Maxwell, Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama. After two years at Maxwell, he was transferred to Harmon Air Force Base in Newfoundland, Canada. While stationed in Newfoundland Merlyn met Ronald Simmons, and Evelyn’s cousin, James M. Byrd. Ronnie and James continued to be a part of Merlyn’s life long after the military tours ended. While Merlyn was in Newfoundland Evelyn, moved to California and stayed with her sister Louise Sass and Family. On July 28, 1965, they welcomed their first child, Pamela Rosezella. Merlyn was then transferred to Houston, Texas and was joined by Evelyn and Pamela where they remained until his tour ended.
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