Loula Jane Cooper Hoffman

June 27, 2016

Jane, affectionately known as “Nana”, always had an exuberant smile for all she met and we are certain she was smiling brightly as she greeted her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, a host of angels, and her family and friends as she entered Heaven’s Gate on Thursday, June 23, 2016.

Jane was born and raised in Water Valley, Mississippi. She was the second child of Virgil Malcolm “Tide” and Ila Cooper. Her parents, step-mother Susie Cooper, sisters Mary Smith and Jeanie Hinson, grandson Willie McCormick, son-in-law Walter Zittel, and her loving husband, James David Hoffman, preceded her into eternal life.

Jane married the love of her life, James David Hoffman, of Taylor, Mississippi, at the early age of 16. They were a happy couple and spent the first 20 years of their married life in the Navy; he as an enlisted Navy man and she as a Navy wife. Jane and Dave were a great couple and made friends easily wherever they moved. They were always involved with church life and serving God in every way possible. They were members of Ensley United Methodist Church in their early years living in Pensacola, and then as members of Gonzalez Baptist Church.

She is survived by her children, Lyn Hoffman Zittel of Pensacola; Jim (Mary) Hoffman of Virginia Beach, VA; Jeff (Robyn) Hoffman; Janet (Dennis) Foster; and K.C. (Susanne) Fehl, all of the Pensacola area. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Bert (Felicia) Wynne, Emily and Savannah Price, Rebecca (Josh) MacDonald, Meagan and Matthew Hoffman, Jared and Trevor Hoffman, Kim Zurbay, Charles McCormick, and Kenny Paul (Melana) Fehl; and her two great-granddaughters, Abigail and Allison Wynne. She also leaves her brother, Rev. Virgil (Amy) Cooper of Birmingham, AL; sister-in-law Marilyn Hoffman of Oxford, MS; her aunts, Iva Brown and Edna Hargrove; and a multitude of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Jane loved to be in her kitchen cooking, baking, and canning. She especially loved to cook fried chicken for her “boys” and chicken salad for her “girls.” Her special lemon pound cake was cherished by all and her “icy-sweet pickles” were a special treat and everyone considered themselves “lucky” if she gave them a jar to take home! As part of Jane’s Christian giving, she prepared meals for many years for the church members at the Chapel on the Hill in Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico and at Gonzalez Baptist Church. Seeing people enjoy her delicious food gave her great pleasure.

After Nana retired from J.C. Penney, she kept many children in her “at-home” day-care for a number of years. Those children are now grown, many with children of their own, and they have a special place in their hearts for the loving and generous woman who treated them like her own children.

A special thank you is extended to Jane’s long-time friend, Mrs. Laurel Ellis who spent countless hours visiting with and transporting our Nana to dialysis three days a week for the past several years. Our boundless gratitude is expressed to this selfless lady who gave Jane her time, energy, joy and friendship.

Visitation will be Tuesday, June 28, 2016, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Faith Chapel North in Cantonment.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 29, 2016, at 10:30 a.m. at Faith Chapel North.

Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery.

“Her children arise and call her blessed … many women do noble things but you surpass them all … a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.” Proverbs 31: 28-31.

Comments

One Response to “Loula Jane Cooper Hoffman”

  1. Candy Knight on June 29th, 2016 7:07 am

    Praying for all of you Jan. Please let me know if I can do ANYTHING for you or your family. Your mother was a very sweet and special lady and she will be missed by everyone who ever had the pleasure of meeting her.

Written by Jane · Filed Under Obituaries