Viola “Vi” Hooker-New 

January 19, 1947 - September 8, 2026 

Viola “Vi” Hooker-New, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, was born on January 19, 1947, to Jack and Madylne Hooker in Hartford, CT. She passed away peacefully at her home in Garland, TX on Tuesday September 8, surrounded by the comfort of the place she loved. 

Vi had a strong and abiding faith in God. She was a longtime member of First Baptist Garland, where her faith and church family were an important part of her life. One of her favorite memories was traveling to Germany with the church choir on a mission trip. The experience brought her great joy and created memories she treasured throughout her life. 

Vi found joy in the simple things in life. She loved being outside, tending to the flowers and plants in her yard, and spending time on her patio, where she was most relaxed and content. She especially loved feeding and watching the hummingbirds that visited her patio, taking great pleasure in seeing them return. She had a special love for music, especially Elvis Presley, and enjoyed decorating her home for the holidays and welcoming family into her home to celebrate together. 

A devoted football fan, Vi especially enjoyed cheering for the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Tech, and the Kansas City Chiefs. She loved sharing her enthusiasm for the game with those around her. 

Vi built a long and successful career in business administration and human resources. She began her career in management at Sanger Harris before moving into Human Resources at Hallmark Electronics. She later worked in payroll at Dallas Plumbing and ultimately served as Office Manager and Human Resources Administrator at Princeton Energy Resources International (PERI) in Maryland. After a fulfilling career, Vi retired from PERI ten years ago and returned to Texas so she could spend more time with her children and grandchildren. 

Family was at the heart of Vi’s life. She was incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren and treasured every opportunity to be together. Her weekly lunches with her son Mike were among her favorite moments, providing precious time to visit, laugh, and simply enjoy each other’s company. 

Vi was also devoted to her beloved dog, Presley. She adored him deeply and often lovingly referred to him as her fourth child. Presley brought her constant companionship and joy. 

Vi was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Madylne Hooker, and her younger brother. 

Those left to treasure Vi’s memory are her son, Mike New of Greenville; her daughter, Michèle New of Flower Mound; her son, Steven New, and his partner, Heather of Weatherford. her grandson, Chris New, and his wife, Danielle; and her great-grandson, Aiden New of Fate. She also leaves behind countless cherished memories with family and friends who were fortunate enough to know and love her. 

Vi will be remembered for her love of family, her generous spirit, her enjoyment of life’s little pleasures, and the warmth she brought to the people around her. Her flowers will continue to bloom, the hummingbirds will always bring to mind the peaceful times she spent on her patio, her favorite music will continue to play, and the memories she created with her family will remain treasured always.