Jerry W. Hooper, age 72, of Forest City, NC, died Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at his residence.

     Jerry was born on May 15, 1938 in Rutherford County, NC to the late Benjamin Hooper and Grace Morrow Hooper Wilson.  He was a veteran of the US Marine Corps and a longtime member of Piney Mountain Baptist Church.  He worked in textiles for Alexander Mills for several years and worked for Carolina Display as a cabinet builder for over 30 years before his retirement.  He had a passion for country and gospel music and loved playing the guitar and writing songs.  He played guitar for the “Borrowed Time Band.”

     In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Lorrie Ann Hooper; by his son, Enoch “Sonny” Hawkins and one brother, Frank Hooper.

     Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Catherine Hooper; one daughter, Kathy Hooper of Warren, PA; two brothers, James Hooper and wife, Nell of Asheville and Charles Hooper and wife, Carolyn of Ellenboro; one sister-in-law, Emily Hooper Metcalf of Forest City.  He is also survived by two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

     Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Piney Mountain Baptist Church with Reverend Brian Melton officiating.  Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Friday at Harrelson Funeral Home.

     Harrelson Funeral Home is serving the Hooper family.