Obituary for Maurine Hooten (Wilterding)
Maurine arrived at her eternal home Sunday, December 5, 2021 at the age of 91. She was born September 26, 1930, to Mervin and Mae (Head) Wilterding, at home on the farm in Bailey County. After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Religious Education and History from McMurry College, Abilene, Texas in 1951, Maurine moved to Las Cruces, New Mexico to serve as Youth Director at St Paul’s Methodist Church.
Maurine married Robert Hooten, the love of her life, November 22, 1951 in the YL Methodist Church – a marriage lasting 68 years! This union was blessed with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They began their years together in El Paso, Texas where Robert completed his service in the United States Army and Maurine served as Religious Education Director at Trinity Methodist Church. 1954 saw a move to Muleshoe to farm, eventually purchase the Ford Dealership and raise a family.
Maurine kept busy with Little League, 4-H, Scouts, piano lessons, PTA, always a homeroom mother, FFA, and trips with FHA and Rainbow for Girls – and then all the high school activities. Maurine also served the community working in the Muleshoe Hospital and Nursing Home Auxiliary, a member of the American Association of University of Women, a Muleshoe Heritage Board Director and active in community Bible Studies.
The Methodist Church was always an important part of the Hooten household. Maurine taught many years in the children/youth department and Vacation Bible School, often in an organizational and leadership role. Maurine served in the United Methodist Women holding many offices and helping in the organization of the Harvest Festival, led adult Sunday School Classes, was a member of the Administrative Board, and various other committees. Maurine was the first woman to serve as chairperson of the Council on Ministries (an office she held for several years).
Amongst all this busy-ness, Maurine always had delicious meals prepared with love – many homemade pies, cakes, donuts and bread. Friends and family always had a place at the table.
Maurine is preceded in death by her husband Robert I. Hooten, her parents Mervin and Mae Wilterding, a great-grandson Davis James Gear and a sister Luella Wilterding Surguine.
Maurine is survived by her children, Gary and Hollye (Crenshaw) Hooten of Muleshoe, Texas, Joe and Gayla (Hooten) Gear of Muleshoe, Texas and Lary and Wanda (Haroski) Hooten of Dallas, Texas; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Daniel and Heather (Hooten) Boyd, - Kenna, Dane, and Kamryn of Celina, Texas; Charles and Amy (Hooten) Turner, - Abbye, Anson and Audrye of Lubbock, Texas;Cade and Kyla (Wooten) Hooten, - Hallye and Hayden of Texico, New Mexico; James and Twyla (Gear) Polasek, - Mikayla and son Michael, Lane, Kody and Cole of Ropesville, Texas; Tyrel and Courtney (Cravens) Gear, - Brooks and Clara of Celina, Texas; Annick Magermans, - Gwenaelle of Insenborn, Luxemburg, a sister, Lona (Wilterding) Embry of Lubbock; and a brother, Reece and Joy (Daniel) Wilterding of Tulia, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews who dearly loved her.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Muleshoe Meals on Wheels, Muleshoe Heritage Foundation, Oneita Wagnon Senior Center, First United Methodist Church of Muleshoe, or a charity of your choice.
Maurine married Robert Hooten, the love of her life, November 22, 1951 in the YL Methodist Church – a marriage lasting 68 years! This union was blessed with children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They began their years together in El Paso, Texas where Robert completed his service in the United States Army and Maurine served as Religious Education Director at Trinity Methodist Church. 1954 saw a move to Muleshoe to farm, eventually purchase the Ford Dealership and raise a family.
Maurine kept busy with Little League, 4-H, Scouts, piano lessons, PTA, always a homeroom mother, FFA, and trips with FHA and Rainbow for Girls – and then all the high school activities. Maurine also served the community working in the Muleshoe Hospital and Nursing Home Auxiliary, a member of the American Association of University of Women, a Muleshoe Heritage Board Director and active in community Bible Studies.
The Methodist Church was always an important part of the Hooten household. Maurine taught many years in the children/youth department and Vacation Bible School, often in an organizational and leadership role. Maurine served in the United Methodist Women holding many offices and helping in the organization of the Harvest Festival, led adult Sunday School Classes, was a member of the Administrative Board, and various other committees. Maurine was the first woman to serve as chairperson of the Council on Ministries (an office she held for several years).
Amongst all this busy-ness, Maurine always had delicious meals prepared with love – many homemade pies, cakes, donuts and bread. Friends and family always had a place at the table.
Maurine is preceded in death by her husband Robert I. Hooten, her parents Mervin and Mae Wilterding, a great-grandson Davis James Gear and a sister Luella Wilterding Surguine.
Maurine is survived by her children, Gary and Hollye (Crenshaw) Hooten of Muleshoe, Texas, Joe and Gayla (Hooten) Gear of Muleshoe, Texas and Lary and Wanda (Haroski) Hooten of Dallas, Texas; her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Daniel and Heather (Hooten) Boyd, - Kenna, Dane, and Kamryn of Celina, Texas; Charles and Amy (Hooten) Turner, - Abbye, Anson and Audrye of Lubbock, Texas;Cade and Kyla (Wooten) Hooten, - Hallye and Hayden of Texico, New Mexico; James and Twyla (Gear) Polasek, - Mikayla and son Michael, Lane, Kody and Cole of Ropesville, Texas; Tyrel and Courtney (Cravens) Gear, - Brooks and Clara of Celina, Texas; Annick Magermans, - Gwenaelle of Insenborn, Luxemburg, a sister, Lona (Wilterding) Embry of Lubbock; and a brother, Reece and Joy (Daniel) Wilterding of Tulia, Texas and numerous nieces and nephews who dearly loved her.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Muleshoe Meals on Wheels, Muleshoe Heritage Foundation, Oneita Wagnon Senior Center, First United Methodist Church of Muleshoe, or a charity of your choice.