Ophelia Valdez Hooper

Ophelia “Ophie” (as she was affectionately called) Valdez Hooper, 94, of Moss Bluff was called Home on the third of October, 2020 in a local Hospital. She was a life-long member of Apostolic Temple Pentecostal Church in Lake Charles, LA.

Mrs. Hooper was born on July 21, 1926 in Port Arthur, Texas. At 18 she met the love of her life, Harry. After a whirlwind courtship, the two married and moved to Lake Charles. In 1957 they settled permanently in Moss Bluff where they raised their five children.

On Good Friday of 1949, Ophie first encountered her Lord and Savior when she first walked through the doors of the church on the corner of Pine and Hodges. It was there that she received the beautiful gift of the Holy Ghost and it was there that her work for the Lord began. She lived her life reaching for others through prayer and friendship. She became a fierce prayer warrior, a mother of the church, and a pillar of spiritual strength. Mrs. Hooper’s greatest joy was to be in the presence of the Lord. Even in her last moments, she was basking in His presence. Her life was a testament of faithfulness, and she served Him to the very end.

Mrs. Hooper had many hobbies including cooking, reading, traveling, and gardening. She was a fantastic cook (a talent she has passed on to her daughters and granddaughters). In 1973 she opened El Ponchos, a Mexican restaurant on Ryan Street.  Even after its closure in 1978, Mrs. Hooper continued to make her world-famous tamales by request. In 1979 she began working for the United States Postal Service where she worked as a rural mail carrier for 16 years. In her years at the Post Office, she met and made many life-long friends. In 1995 she retired permanently to dote on grandbabies, host Mexican-themed dinners, and continue her work for the Lord.

Mrs. Hooper is preceded in death by her parents, Theresa Precidio and Conrado Valdez and Stepmother Sarah Valdez; by her siblings Elizabeth Andrews, Alice Juarez, Tony Valdez, Mary Gomez, Roger Valdez, and foster sister, Alice Marquez; and by her husband, her forever “sweetheart,” Harry Hooper.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children: Wanda (Sherman) Thigpen of Moss Bluff, Bobby (Ida) Hooper of Lake Charles, David (Colleen) Hooper of Lake Charles, Leah (Ricky) Romain of Ragley, and Katherine (Scott) Louviere of Lake Charles; 16 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; 1 great, great grandchild; her sister Nena Miranda and her brother George (Jean) Valdez.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Apostolic Temple, 2711 Prien Lake Road, under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Reverends Rick Treece and Jordan Anderson will officiate. Visitation will begin Wednesday, October 7, 2020 from 4-8 and continue on Thursday from 8-9. The service will be held on October 8, 2020 at 9 am. Interment will be held at Ritchie Cemetery in Moss Bluff.

The family asks that you respect social distancing and masks are requested for the visitation and funeral service.  Military honors will be rendered for Mr. Hooper at the cemetery.  The US Marines require masks to be worn at the graveside service.

The service will be recorded and available for viewing at https://www.youtube.com/c/ApostolicTempleLC/videos