Obituary

Mark Alan Hooker, 62, of South Charleston, WV, passed away on February 27, 2025, at Select Specialty Hospital at CAMC after a short illness, with his mother and brother by his side.

He was preceded in death by his father, William D. Hooker III; his grandparents William D. Jr. and Beulah Lee Hooker, Thomas F. and Wessie Hopkins, and uncle Thomas F. Hopkins, Jr.

Mark is survived by his mother Shirley Hooker of Charleston, brother Todd Hooker of Charleston, special companion Cheryl Smith of South Charleston, aunt Carolyn Shuford (Richard) of Weaverville, NC, cousins Joy Toms of NC and Brad Shuford (Collin) of Barnardsville, NC.

Born September 8, 1962, in Welch, WV, and raised in Charleston, Mark was a 1980 graduate of George Washington High School and a 1984 graduate of the Virginia Military Institute. Upon graduation, Mark was commissioned as Lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served honorably until his discharge in 1988.

Following the Army, Mark pursued a career in the insurance industry achieving many notable designations along the way including CIE, MCM, CPCU, AU, AAI, AIS, LUTCF and CWCP. He a past member of the Farm Bureau Insurance Companies Round Table and was past board member and President of the Insurance Regulatory Examiners Society. In 2014, je received the Paul DeAngelo Memorial Teaching Award in Recognition of Excellence in Insurance Education. Mark retired from the State of West Virginia with more than 22 years of service.

Mark loved all animals. He was also a huge science fiction fan, especially Star Trek, and thought that Deep Space Nine was the best version.

A Christian by faith, Mark attended Unity of Kanawha Valley and St. Marks United Methodist Church.

The family would like to offer special thanks to the staff of the STICU at CAMC General and to the staff at Select Specialty at CAMC Memorial.

A Memorial Service will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025, at St. Marks United Methodist Church, 900 Washington St. East, Charleston, with the Reverend Cindi Briggs-Biondi officiating.

The family will receive friends beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the church.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Society, 1248 Greenbrier St., Charleston, WV 25311; Unity of Kanawha Valley, 804 Myrtle Road, Charleston, WV 25314; St. Marks United Methodist Church, 900 Washington St., East, Charleston, WV 25301.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.barlowbonsall.com .

Barlow Bonsall Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.