Bonnie Hooley

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

Bonnie Lee Hooley (“Momma Hooley”) Born on February 11, 1934 to David and Ruby Cooper of Oklahoma.

Bonnie, at the age of 88, took her last breath here on Earth late Friday evening, September 30th, 2022 at home. She immediately entered into the presence of Jesus!

After traveling 9 years with Evangelists Grandma and Grandpa Plumley, playing the piano and singing, she met the love of her life at a revival in Tulare, California.

Bonnie married Bobby Gene Hooley after dating only 6 weeks on April 3rd, 1962 in Tulare, California. By July 3rd they started pastoring their first church in Rogers, Arkansas.

After pastoring in Rogers and Hoxie, Arkansas, they were elected State Youth Directors for the Pentecostal Church of God, Arkansas District in 1965.

In 1971, they were voted in as pastors of First Pentecostal Church of God in Fort Smith, Arkansas, where they served together and grew a fruitful and life-giving church that impacted their community. It was here that both of their children learned to follow God and serve in ministry. They pastored this church until Bob’s death in November of 1986.

After feeling lost with no direction, Bonnie was asked to become dorm mom at Messenger Bible College in the summer of 1988. There she made a lasting impact on several hundred students as they prepared for ministry. It was at Messenger College that she received the name “Momma Hooley” that so many still use to refer to her today.

She also served as the receptionist at the Pentecostal Church of God International headquarters during her time at Messenger College. She talked and encouraged pastors and leaders from around the country on a daily basis.

After retiring, she moved into her own apartment connected to her daughter's home in Webb City, Missouri. There, she began helping Gene and Melody raise their five children.

She was very active in the ministries of Destiny Church. She especially had the gift of prayer! She personally prayed for hundreds of people, especially many wives who were having trouble conceiving. She had many, many testimonies of babies being born after those prayers.

Her greatest joy in her life was that both of her children, Lonnie and Melody, had followed in the steps of ministry. She was especially proud of all her grandchildren and bragged on them to anyone who would listen.

Bonnie never met a stranger and impacted everyone she ever came in contact with. Her life was a living testimony of God’s amazing love!

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob, son Lonnie and daughter in-law Tina. She is survived by her daughter Melody Bebee and son-in-law Gene Bebee, grandchildren Melissa Benham and husband Josh, Preston Bebee, Landon Bebee, Hayden Bebee, Halle Bebee, and one great grandson Onyx Benham.

A family held celebration of Bonnie's life will be held at 6:30 p.m., Monday, October 10, 2022 at Destiny Church, 3411 N. Rangeline Joplin, MO 64801.

All flowers can be sent to Mason-Woodard Mortuary.

All monetary donations can be given through Destiny Church at the following link:

https://ppay.co/ZDVqR8GujQ8