Wayne Sylvester Hooker, Sr.

Det. Sgt. Elder Wayne Hooker, age 81 of Sanford, NC transitioned to eternal rest Thursday, May 30, 2024, at Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation. 

Wayne Sylvester Hooker, Sr., was born on September 11, 1942, in Goldston, NC to Carl David Hooker, Sr. and Marie Guthrie Hooker.  He departed this earthly home and entered life everlasting on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

Wayne was educated in the Lee County Schools.  He was such a brilliant, remarkable student who excelled in everything he did. Wayne loved participating in both the school's concert and marching band playing his baritone. He believed in the arts and academics.  His hard work and diligence paid off when he graduated second in his high school class from W. B. Wicker as salutatorian, only missing valedictorian by a few tenths of a point.  

After high school, Wayne expressed to his parents his desire to join the military.  He was only seventeen, so his mother and father had to sign and give their permission for him to enlist in the United States Army. Wayne's entry tests in the Army were extremely high and very impressive to his senior training officers.  Wayne was recommended to be sent to officer's training school by one of his superiors, but because he hadn't attended college at that time, another person was sent in his place in the final officer candidate slot.  Although Wayne was disappointed, he took it in stride and became a clerk typist and then an Army paratrooper.  He was deployed to Germany and stationed in Bad Kreuznach, Germany from 1961-1963 serving his full term and tour of duty in the Army with an honorable discharge.

In 1965 at Blandonia Presbyterian Church, Wayne married his high school sweetheart, Mary Shaw McLean, who had been his childhood friend since kindergarten.  After Wayne married, he enrolled at North Carolina Central University to study business.  At NC Central he lettered in tennis and was one of the team's captains.  Wayne studied at Central for two years and then he decided to relocate to Washington, DC with Mary. In Washington, DC, Wayne was hired to work as a repair technician for Smith Corona, the popular typewriter company.

After working for Smith Corona, Wayne decided to join the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department in 1970.  After his training at the D.C. Police Training Academy, he served as a law enforcement officer at the 7th District Precinct in Southeast and later tested and was promoted to desk sergeant at 7D.  He then was transferred to 6th District and also served there in the same position as desk sergeant.  Then Wayne attended detective school and was promoted to Detective Sergeant and investigated numerous cases in that capacity.  Later he was promoted to gun control supervisor at D.C. Police Headquarters.  Due to Det.Sgt Hooker's professionalism, rapport with the public, and dedication to law enforcement, his superior officers appointed him to the D.C. Police Internal Affairs Division.  After serving in Internal Affairs, while waiting on his final promotion to lieutenant, he transferred to the D.C. Police Headquarters central data processing unit.  Due to a pay freeze on promotions, Wayne did not receive his promotion to lieutenant.  He decided that he had done his civic duty to protect and serve the public and retired on August 24, 1991, after 20 loyal years of service, with his best friend, Officer Eldon Hayes, Jr.

During his tenure with MPD, Det. Sgt. Hooker coached a Police Boys and Girls Club neighborhood league softball team and was also actively involved with the children who took dance at Karla's Kids Musical Ministries at his church, Rehoboth Baptist Church and also at Bethlehem Baptist Church. All of the children respected and adored Sergeant Hooker and loved to run to him to get hugs and a pat on the head.

Wayne's union to Mary Shaw resulted in the birth of two beautiful children, Carla in 1968 and Wayne, Jr on Christmas Day in 1972. From this union Wayne Sr. had two granddaughters, Kamaria Tahira ("KT") Hooker of Sanford, NC and Allison Hunter of Raleigh, NC; and a daughter in law, Susan Boykins of Raleigh, NC.

In 1980, Wayne's second marriage was to Gloria Wayne Covington of Fayetteville, NC. Together they had two lovely children, Valerie in 1980 and David in 1986. During this union to Gloria, Wayne was a very active and popular member of Rehoboth Baptist Church under the spiritual leadership of Rev. R. Vincent Palmer.  Wayne served on the senior usher board, the senior choir, elder and trustee board.  From this union Wayne had one granddaughter, Briana Q. Lewis and one grandson, Trevor Wayne Lewis, his first grandson.

Elder Wayne enjoyed being a member of the Seafarer's Yacht Club of Southeast Washington, DC after retirement with his best friend, Eldon. Wayne purchased his first sailboat and spent a lot of his time fishing with his friends, children, and granddaughter, Kamaria, whom he affectionately nicknamed "KT". Sometimes he and KT would spend all day fishing and enjoying time on his sailboat. Mr. Wayne was also elated when his youngest daughter, Valerie learned how to navigate the sailboat and became an expert with the sails like him. He was loved by his fellow yacht club members and took great pride in wearing his club's embroidered jacket.

Wayne later relocated back home to Sanford, NC to be a full-time caregiver to his mother, Deaconess Marie G. Hooker, until she went home to be with the Lord.

When his mother passed, Wayne purchased his first motorcycle, a 50th Anniversary Edition, black Honda Goldwing and then joined The Old School Raleigh Guys and the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, along with his best friend.

After relocating back to North Carolina, in 2008, Wayne met and married the love of his life, Reverend Mamie L. Wilson, who pastored his church, Blandonia Presbyterian. Wayne had become fond of her after accompanying his pastor to multiple outside preaching engagements to make sure she was not riding alone on her journeys for the Lord. From this union to Pastor Mamie, he gained two wonderful daughters, Gayle and Tonya; and a bonus son, Gayle's husband, Crainza.

During his marriage to Pastor Mamie L. Hooker, Wayne was an Elder and active member of Blandonia Presbyterian Church.  He actively served as an Elder on the Session for two terms. He was a member of the Men's Choir and diligently managed building and grounds.  Wayne taught the adult Sunday School class weekly and attended weekly Bible study until his health no longer permitted. Wayne's faith remained strong in God and he faithfully paid his tithes and offerings.  He began to watch church services on YouTube on Sundays when he could no longer attend church worship services in person.  This was extremely important to him and a testament of his unwavering faith.

Elder Wayne was a family icon and a friend to many. He was a surrogate Grandfather to many of his nieces and nephews and children in the community. His loving spirit and generosity along with his humor, wittiness, charisma, charm, and incredible, amazing personality always radiated through his light, energy, and humor.  His smile was infectious. Detective Sergeant Hooker's legacy of service and dedication will forever be cherished by his family, friends, and community. May his memory live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. Rest in peace, Detective Sergeant Elder Wayne S. Hooker, Sr.

Elder Wayne was a phenomenal man.  He was an awesome husband, son, nephew, father, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.  Wayne will be truly missed by all.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Carl D. Hooker, Jr.; two sisters, Mattie Geraldine Hooker Walden Seymore and Esther Athelene Hooker Street, one son, Wayne S. Hunter (affectionately known as "Syl" - formerly Wayne S. Hooker, Jr.); a bonus grandson, Tyler "Ty" Brown, and one grandson, Eric Andre Thompson, Jr.

Wayne leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Pastor Mamie L. Hooker of Sanford, NC; four daughters, Gayle McKoy (Crainza) of Conyers, GA; Dr. Carla M. Hooker of Sanford, NC; Tonya Yvette Wilson of Fayetteville, NC; and Rev. Valerie Lewis Walton (Shaun) of Las Vegas, NV; and one son, David P. Hooker (Natasha) of Los Angeles, CA; siblings, Imogene Hooker of New York, NY; J. Tyrone Hooker of Sanford, NC; Winford Hooker (Karen) of Silver Spring, MD; twin brothers, Ronald Hooker (Jackie) of Winston-Salem, NC and Donald Hooker (Pam) of Sanford, NC, and Sonya Dickens (Curtis) of Greensboro, NC; one step-brother, Charlie Dark of Burlington, NC; two special sisters, Irma Wilshire-Hayes and Nadine (Ne'e Hooker) Lucas; eleven wonderful grandchildren; Kamaria "KT" Hooker, Briana Q. Lewis, Allison Hunter, Trevor Wayne Lewis, Shakira Alexander, Rory Brown, Tamika Thompson, Jahid Thompson, Tamaiya Fleming, and Jvonna Fleming; seven amazing great-grandchildren, Camryn Alexander, MaKenzy Battle, Amilliyana Thompson, Jalik McLean, Zyir Thompson, Itali Thompson, Jvontes Wilson, and a host of other loved ones and friends.

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