Mildred Louise Hooper, 97, died Sunday, July 15, 2018 in Edmond, Oklahoma. She was a long-time resident of Chickasha, OK. She was born on May 28, 1921 in Alex, Oklahoma to Thomas Edward Pavillard and Lucy Mae (Phillips) Pavillard and was the youngest of seven children. She was raised on a farm in Lindsay, OK with her sister, Maxine and brothers, Otis, Ralph and James (two siblings died in infancy).
Known for her fun, happy spirit and her zest for life, Mildred made everyone around her feel important and special. Her genuine interest in others and her entertaining sense of humor made Mildred a true to joy to be around. She loved to hear a good story and was a gifted storyteller herself! Although Mildred suffered much heartache and hardship throughout her life, her constant positivity and faithfulness was a source of great inspiration to her family and friends.
Mildred was a true “Rosie the Riveter”, moving to Los Angeles, California with two of her brothers when World War II broke out. She worked at U.S. Rubber Plant Company, checking seals inside fuel tanks of airplanes. It was during this time that she married Richard Dean Tibbetts. They were blessed with a son, Larry Dean Tibbetts. After Richard’s illness, Mildred returned to Chickasha to be near family. She later met and married Dr. James L. Hooper. They welcomed a daughter, Deborah Lynn Hooper. Mildred was a devoted wife and mother. Her first true loves and her pride and joy were her children, Larry and Debbie.
A woman of many talents, Mildred loved working with her hands. She was known to say, “Busy hands make happy hands!” She especially loved sewing, needle work, ceramics, cooking and gardening. As an avid and talented seamstress, she began sewing when she was just nine years old, sewing outfits for her many cats on the farm. She sewed most of her own clothes and loved going to the fabric store. She later delighted her children and grandchild with her sewing talents. She made dresses, coats and so many fashions for her daughter, Debbie. She was known to mend and darn Larry’s shirts when most of us thought it couldn’t be done. She loved creating darling outfits for her grandchild, Katelynn Margaret. When visiting Mildred, you often found her in the kitchen, her yard or sewing room. She loved tending to her big garden and was a pro on her riding lawn mower well into her nineties. She was known to call neighbors when the loaf of bread was “fresh out of the oven” and ready to be served. Mildred is described as the glue that held her neighborhood together. Her friends were family to her. She cared deeply for those around her and made a point to hostess events, planned and spontaneous, so neighbors could gather and visit.
Mildred was active in several clubs throughout her life. Perhaps her biggest accomplishment was starting the Chickasha chapter of Red Hat Society, the “Merry Chicks”. A true highlight for her was being Queen Mum. This group of women provided years of enjoyment for Mildred and she spoke so highly of the “Red Hats” and the next outing. After moving to Edmond, OK in 2016, Mildred hosted a Merry Chicks luncheon at Lyndale Independent Living facility and she was so proud to introduce the Merry Chicks to her newest friends at Lyndale. At 97 years old, Mildred continued to be the life of the party. She provided fun and entertainment at Lyndale most every Friday afternoon, serving as the DJ during “Happy Hour”. She was known as “DJ Mildred” to most of the residents.
Mildred is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Lucy Pavillard, her brothers, Ralph Pavillard and Otis Pavillard, her sister, Maxine Wynn, her daughter, Deborah Hooper, and her son, Larry Tibbetts.
She is survived by her brother, James Pavillard, nieces, LuNell McCann, Janet Watson, Kay Otis, her daughter in law, Carrington Tibbetts, and her only grandchild, Katelynn Margaret Tibbetts.
Mildred was a beautiful person; a loving wife, a devoted mother, a loving sister, a giving aunt, a very proud grandmother and a loyal friend. Mildred’s hearty, contagious laugh, her big smile and her fun and playful spirit will never be forgotten.
Funeral services for Mildred Louise Hooper will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 20, 2018 at the Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel with Jerry Otis officiating.
Interment will be in Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.
Condolences to the family may be expressed at http://www.ferguson-funeralhome.com .
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the American Cancer Society with designation to breast cancer or pancreatic cancer research.