Clemmie Hooper

After more than 25 years battling cancers of several kinds, Clemmie finished his final battle caused by cancerous thyroid cells left from two previous surgeries. He left his earthly body and went to his Heavenly Father around one in the morning on March 3, 2022.

Clemmie was born in Swain County, NC, on October 31, 1940 to the late Ella Viola McMahan Hooper and Clemmie Buren Hooper, Sr. In addition to his parents, Clemmie was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Kern Hooper, six sisters, Kathleen Stout, Bernice Adams, Sue Cagle, Betty Stanley, Jo Stone and Jessie Phillips, and his older brother, Edward L. Hooper.

Left to cherish his memory are his younger brother, Michael Hooper and wife Karen of Canton, and sister-in-law, Carolyn Teague Hooper of Gastonia, NC, children, C.B. Hooper, III, Allison Hooper Jordan, grandchildren, Christian Vickers, Elizabeth Litton, Cheyenne Pledger and special grandson, Robert Michael Hater of the home, who lived most of his life with his Pawpaw.

Clemmie attended Hickory High School, then entered the working world with DeHart Motor Lines where he learned more about repairing large motor vehicles. He'd grown up watching and learning from men in his family how to repair cars and he gained knowledge in that field. He later worked for several other motor lines in the Hickory area, such as Hickory Grading and Paving, as foreman in charge of keeping all their trucks road ready. Clemmie's father was an accomplished pattern maker in the furniture building industry, so Clemmie added to his skills that of building beautiful furniture. He built complete bedroom suites for each of his four grandchildren. He built most of the furniture in his home; his own bedroom suite, several glass front cabinets, a roll top desk, and a breathtaking Grandfather Clock. Many other people were gifted some of his wood working projects and cherish the thoughtfulness he always put into each project. He NEVER did anything less than top quality.

It was only natural that Clemmie would gain many skills through his life. He owned and operated Gray Eagle Trucking. He owned and operated a company that installed concrete driveways, he also owned a landscaping company. But his heart truly lay in building things.

He built for his own use a forklift, a frontend loader, and even a "Mini Beep" for his grandchildren to drive around his property. He built and sold first class utility trailers. He never knew the meaning of the word CAN'T. He could always figure out a way to "make it work." His shop was his "Happy Place" and even to his last few precious days, you could find him in his shop "piddlin" when he had the strength.

Clemmie's family, friends and neighbors could always rely on him to help fix things for them. His daughter and grandchildren say he was Superman because he could fix everything. His neighbors say there's a huge hole in the neighborhood now. He loved his special neighbors, Verlin, Johnny and Christy and Earnest and Mary. Any way you remember him, you will have wonderful memories of times with him.

He was a "Jack of All Trades and a Master of Many."

We were blessed to have known him and will never forget his compassionate heart.

Clemmie's family would like to thank the staff at Carolina Caring, Robinson Road, Hickory, NC.

There will be no formal service, however, his children are making plans for a celebration of life gathering in Clemmie's shop for a later date.