Geraldine Hooker Walden Seymore

Geraldine Hooker Walden Seymore, age 85 of 2001 Carr Creek Rd. passed on Saturday, July 28, 2018 at SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC Healthcare, Pittsboro, NC. 

Elder Geraldine Hooker Walden Seymore entered into eternal rest on July 28, 2018 at 4 am at the SECU Jim & Betsy Bryan Hospice Home of UNC Health Care in Chatham County (Pittsboro), North Carolina. As in 2 Corinthian 5:8 states…. “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord!”

Geraldine Hooker Walden Seymore was born on February 2, 1933 in Chatham County (Goldston), North Carolina and was the eldest daughter and third child of the late Carl and Marie Hooker. Her childhood was spent in Goldston under the nurturing influence of her family and church.  Geraldine established a lifelong bond with the Goldston community and especially the family church, Mt. Herman AME Zion.  Geraldine would return to Mt. Herman from time to time and especially every 4th Sunday in August for the beginning of the church’s annual revival.

The Hooker family moved to Sanford in 1947, and Geraldine graduated high school in 1951 from W.B. Wicker.  She looked forward to the Wicker class reunions and had many pictures that showcased her Class of 1951.  After high school, Geraldine worked at various jobs in Sanford.  Apart from her family, she had many friends and was always involved with lots of activities that included helping others. That was the type of person she was and always could be counted on to tell you what was on her mind because she did not mince words.

Geraldine was also very close to her maternal grandmother, Mrs. Esther Headen Guthrie Giles, who also lived in Goldston, and she and her siblings enjoyed spending time and playing at their grandmother’s house. Many memorable moments in time brought lots of laughter! Geraldine once said there was nothing more enjoyable than going to her grandmother’s house after school to pick up a little brother or sister and getting to eat Grandma’s food.  Family was extremely important to her and she expressed this throughout her life. 

In July 1957, Geraldine became Mrs. Minor B. Walden and acquired a new family.  Geraldine and Mr. Minor Walden had a happy union and were blessed with many great times, memories and family members who continued to be a part of her life.  Mr. Minor loved to talk of the ’55 Plymouth and how the car had performed over the years with Geraldine in the driver’s seat.   Although Mr. Minor passed away in 1969, his family has remained active in her life. Special thanks to Peggy Joyner who remained vigilant during the final days of her grandmother’s transition.

In September 1962, Geraldine entered North Carolina A&T State University to study Home Economics.  She was a diehard Aggie throughout her life and supported various school activities. She graduated in 1966 and became a Home Economics Teacher in the Harnett County School System.  For approximately 28 years she taught her craft at Western Harnett High School, Benhaven High School, and in night classes for the community.  She received recognition for outstanding service at her retirement in 1992 but continued to do some teaching in the community.

Geraldine was united in marriage on July 31, 1976, for 20 years, to the late Alexander Seymore, Jr. and with this union came Milton B. White (Deceased), Sheila Broadwater Crews (Deceased), Lisa Seymore Patrick (Ronald), Terry Seymore, and Anthony Seymore (Angela).

As one of the eldest in a family of 13 children, Geraldine was primed at an early age to set an example for her younger brothers and sisters.  There was no need to worry—as the years progressed, Geraldine developed good character and took on many roles in the superlative sense—the list was endless: a dutiful daughter and helpmate, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, good student, wife, mother, aunt, good friend, good driver, church worker, community organizer, hairdresser, masterful seamstress, designer and dressmaker extraordinaire, college student, grandmother, wedding planner, orator for many speaking engagements in the community and engaging in school activities that included being an advisor for the Western Harnett Gospel Choir, teaching young students to sew during summer school programs at Benhaven School, and facilitating cooking and sewing opportunities for young men and women at Western Harnett High School.

Geraldine was very observant as a child, and she learned her housekeeping lessons well from her grandmother and mother, Marie.  She credits them with passing on the sewing “GENE” to her.  We all know that Geraldine became an excellent seamstress and dressmaker extraordinaire—she really could have become a world class designer—no one doubts that!  She didn’t need a pattern to make an item---she could just look at a particular piece of clothing and VOILA!  She made not only clothing for men and women but other items as well—such as draperies, linens, quilts, pillows, etc.  In addition to her 9 to 5 job, she was always doing things for others such as making outfits or altering clothing for someone.

Throughout the years, Geraldine maintained strong alliances with family and friends, her church, Blandonia Presbyterian, her high school and college alumni organizations, community activities, and other endeavors. Geraldine was a lifelong member of Blandonia Presbyterian Church. She was installed as a Church Deacon and ordained as a Blandonia Elder, and worked tirelessly for the Angelette McIver Presbyterian Women Society, the usher board, and lent her beautiful soprano voice to the church choir. She loved teaching Sunday School and Bible School, and one of the highlights at the church was during the Annual Easter Egg Hunt festivities when Geraldine was known for making bunny cakes for the children. We looked forward to that event, every year.

Geraldine was affectionally known as the "Funeral Lady" because she attended everyone’s homegoing and she had the obituaries to prove it.  She had a disposition that allowed her to find something good to say about everyone and was known for always being encouraging and supportive to all. The Birthday Card Challenge on her 85th birthday was a delight for her and thank you to all who made it a success.

She was loved and admired by many for her friendliness and outreach to her community.  She never met a stranger because once she spoke to them, she would engage in a conversation that would never be forgotten.  She was also known as Mama Dine by her family and friends and made lasting bonds in the community, school system, church, and her neighborhood. She will be missed.

Geraldine remained extremely active until her health began to decline, preventing her from attending her beloved Blandonia Presbyterian Church regularly. However, special occasions did not hinder her movements because her loving and faithful brother, Tyrone Hooker, became the designated chauffeured for her and we are so grateful for all he did for his big sister.

Geraldine was preceded in death by her husband, Alexander Seymore, Jr.; a daughter, Sheila Broadwater Crews; a son, Milton B. White; two brothers, Carl Hooker, Jr and Samuel Hooker; two sisters, Ida Mae Hooker and Jennifer Hooker, and two brothers in law, James Street, Sr. and Charlie Seymour. 

Elder Geraldine Hooker Walden Seymore leaves a legacy of family to cherish her memories:

Children: Lisa (Ronald), Terry, and Tony (Angela)

Three sisters: Imogene Hooker of New York, New York, Esther Street of Sanford, North Carolina, and Sonya Dickens (Curtis) of Greensboro, North Carolina.

Five brothers: Wayne Hooker (Mamie), Tyrone Hooker, and Donald Hooker (Pam) of Sanford, North Carolina, Winford Hooker (Karen) of Silver Springs, Maryland, and Ronald Hooker (Jackie) of Charlotte, North Carolina  

Grandchildren: Peggy, Marshall (Elma), Rishawn (Antoinette), Maurice, Shayla (Austin), Ron, Jr., Brya, TaMia, Toni, and Terri Alexandria (Lexie), Charlissa, Ataurus, and Marino

Great-Grandchildren:  Vincent, Marilyn, Lenora, Darrell, Armani, Isaiah, Joshua, Shaniya, Brittney, Ataurus, Jr., Marino, Jr., Ronald, III, Aiden, Jocelyn, and Shelisa

Great-Great-Grandchildren:  Vaughn, Matrisha, Diana, Faith, Zoe, Adam, Meredith, Joshua, Ethan, Tania, Talisa, and Ka-leigh

Great-Great-Great-Grandchildren: Amaya and Christian

Other Relatives:

Aunt: Mrs. Marion G. Williams

Sisters-in-laws:  Mrs. Mary Mckinnon, Mrs. Zula Gunter, and Mrs. Mardena Dobson

Nieces and Nephews: Jim (Susan), Renee’ (Manley), Earl, Quincy, Ken, Shawn, Carla, Kamaria (K.T.), Allison, Valerie, Brianna, Trevor, David, Sonya-Marie (Nathaniel), Tricia (Larry), Marlena (Ryan), Erin, Tyler-Marie (Gustavo), Lorin (David), Jayde, Adalyn, Vince, Ashley, Ethan, Kathryn Leigh, Martin, Olivia Marie, Joseth, Anthony, Ronnie, Debra, Donna, Sharon, Jackie, Angela, Vanessa, Rhonda, Robert, Tamoria, Rita, and Mamie.

First Cousins: Oddie Marie, Robert (Barbara), Walter (Elsie), Zenobia (George), Wanda, Bettye Jean (Earl), Hildred, Sandra Kaye (Charlie), Delois, Bernard, Rosemarie, and Delores.

Other:  A host of Numerous Extended Relations, friends and loved ones.

Arrangements By: Knotts Funeral Home, Sanford