Marjorie Neal Hooks , known as "Margie", a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend to many, passed away peacefully on December 16, 2014, at the age of 94.

Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 20, 2014 at Watson & Sons Funeral Home in Center with Bro. Gordon Vaughn officiating. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Center. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time.

Margie was born to Norman and Cassie Oliver Neal on January 10, 1920, in Patroon, Texas. She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Jean Owens, and her husband, Bernard Hooks.

Margie focused her early adult years on rearing her two daughters; June Lynn Askew Steiner and Montie Askew Jones. Her world revolved around her daughters; they were the joy of her life. Later, when her children were grown, she began her dream career in the jewelry and fashion world. Her first job in the 50's was working for Travis Price, a well-known Center jeweler, as his store manager and purchasing agent. Mr. Price depended heavily on Margie's gift to recognize fine jewelry and her ability to make the appropriate purchases for Price Jewelry Store on the East side of the Center Square. In the early 1960's, Margie and her husband, Bernard Hooks, purchased the business from Mr. Price and renamed the store Bernard's Jewelry. The business thrived under Margie's experience, good taste in fine jewelry, gifts, and exemplary customer service and Bernard's expertise in watch and jewelry repairs.

In the 1970's, June and Montie opened an apparel shop in Center, and they persuaded their Mother to join them in the business. She dearly loved working in the fashion industry, as she had always been a fashion maven, and was always dressed in great style. Margie became store manager when the second location of Just For Her was opened in Nacogdoches, Texas. She drove from her home in Center to Nacogdoches, daily. Margie enjoyed seeing her friends and loved meeting new ones as they dropped in to shop. She has now joined her dear friend, Helen Bell, in heaven, who faithfully worked by her side for many years.

Margie always wanted everyone to know how blessed she was to have two wonderful sons-in-law, Al Steiner and Deck Jones. She went out of her way to cater to her handsome sons-in-law, as she frequently referred to them. She was very proud of their business success and of their devotion to their families. She also loved being a grandmother. Although she always felt she was too young to be called Granny, she loved being their "Margie Honey", as she was lovingly called by them. "Margie Honey" showered her granddaughters, Monette Wagnon Stockton, GiGi Jordan Steiner, Alison Neal McIntosh, and Ashley Elizabeth Steiner with love, books, gifts and her treasured possessions. When Charlie Jones came into her life as her only grandson, they instantly bonded and enjoyed many special times and warm conversations.

"Granny-Great" as she was known by her great-grandchildren; Sarah Klein, Robert McIntosh, Elton McIntosh, and Cassie Anna McIntosh, were a late in life pleasure to her. She was always interested in their accomplishments and interests, as they grew through the years. She was quick to brag on them to others and always waited eagerly for their visits to embrace them with open arms and special treats.

Nieces, Barbara Palmer and Sandra Tye of Mineral Wells, Texas, are also left behind with many fond memories of family holidays and gatherings spend with their Aunt Margie.

Without a doubt, anyone who knew Margie was aware of her special love for animals. Margie's dearest companions were her loving puppy, Brandi, and her sweet kitty, Baby. She was never at peace leaving her animals for any length of time. She always rushed back to take care of their needs. If her Dallas family convinced her to come for a visit, they could be sure the pets would be visiting, too.

Margie was blessed to have two wonderful, caring and skilled caregivers in her later years, Mary Netherly and Ashley McCollister. Mary and Ashley followed Margie to Holiday Nursing Home where they continued their support and devotion to her needs until the end.

She will be dearly missed by her family, her kind friends in Center, and her church, Hillcrest Baptist.

Pallbearers will be Robert McIntosh, Scott Meyer, Elton McIntosh, Brian Chestnut and Charlie Jones. Honorary pallbearers will be David Chadwick, Charles Rushing, Bill Holt, Sammy Dance, Mr. Jim Forbes and Jimmy Forbes.