Erma Jean (Meminger) Hooks 

March 2, 1947 – November 1, 2026

Erma Jean Hooks, 79, completed her life’s journey on Sunday, November 1, 2026, but the warmth of her love and the strength of her spirit will live on through those she held dear.

Born in Akron, Ohio, on March 2, 1947, to George and Anna Mae Meminger, she was lovingly raised by her aunt and uncle, Marion and Samuel Grady Dozier.

Erma attended Akron’s Spicer Elementary and graduated from Central High School. In 1964, she married Richard Cornelius Hooks, and together they welcomed four daughters. Although they later divorced, they remained friends until his passing, and their shared legacy lives on through their family.

Erma was christened, raised, baptized, and married at Wesley Temple AME Zion Church in Akron, where she attended with her aunt and uncle and later raised her own children. Through life’s joys and challenges, her faith never wavered. When those she loved came to her with life’s problems, her answer was always the same and straightforward: “Just pray, honey. It’s gotten me through a whole lot of thangs.”

An avid reader, Erma, passed her love of books on to her daughters. Saturday mornings spent together at the public library became cherished memories. In her later years, spending time with her grandchildren watching movies brought her immense joy, with her all-time favorite being Hustle & Flow and Life. Also, Erma loved fresh flowers with her favorites being Lilies. She could grow almost anything and had a special gift for bringing discarded plants back to life.

Erma shared a deep and loving bond with her four sisters and brother. They were a source of strength for one another throughout childhood, and that closeness continues through their own children, who carry forward the love and devotion they witnessed growing up.

She was preceded in death by her parents; aunt and uncle; daughter, Son-Ja Smith; brother, Frank Meminger; sister, Kathryn Jenkins; and oldest niece, Vicki Meminger.

She leaves to cherish her memory sisters, Ella McCall and Theresa Singleton of Akron, Ohio; her daughters, Kimberly Hooks of Tucker Georgia, Lynn (Jerry) Puryear of Akron, Ohio, and Nikki Johnson (Anthony Pye) of Lithonia Georgia; grandsons, Tyler Hooks, Xavier and Malcolm (Jaylen) Hamilton of Greater Atlanta Georgia, and Jared Puryear of Columbus, Ohio; granddaughters, Ryan Strong of Akron, Ohio, Sylver Banks, Brittany and Brandi Johnson, and Jennifer Weathers of Greater Atlanta Georgia; special nieces, Nancy Randle, Karen and Stephanine Singleton and Robin Taylor of Akron, Ohio, Angela Bowman of Herndon, Virginia; nephews, Thomas and Vernon Taylor of Arizona, Vincent Taylor, and Lance Meminger of Akron, Ohio; 16 great-grandchildren; lifelong friend, Randolph Mitchell; daughters of her heart, Toni “Curry” Hicks, Jualeah “Johnson” Early and Lynnette “Scrivens” Jenkins whom she loved as her own; and host of other relative and friends.

Honoring Erma’s wishes, cremation has taken place. Her final resting place will be at Glendale Cemetery with her beloved aunt and uncle. Family and close friends will gather at a later date for a private burial and celebration of her life.

Condolences may be sent in care of daughters Lynn Puryear, 534 Avalon Avenue, Akron, Ohio 44320, or Nikki Johnson, 2850 North Fair Loop, Lithonia, Georgia 30038.