Mary Hook

Mary Fortner Hook, 94, of Bessemer City, passed away peacefully on Thursday, June 27, 2019 surrounded by her family while at Terrace Ridge Assisted Living, Gastonia. She was born July 2, 1924 in Gaston County to the late Dempsey Aubrey and Anna Martha Jane Fortner Fortner.

Mary served on the Bessemer City Council from 1995-1999 and was named citizen of the year in 2016. The City remembers Mrs. Hook for being a force for good and a catalyst of change for the citizens of Bessemer City. She also served on the Image, Recreation, Centennial, and Board of Elections committees for the City of Bessemer City. She was a member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, where she served on the Vestry as Senior Warden and church treasurer. She was cofounder of the Bessemer City Teen Center. Mary was also known to be a good listener and was trusted as a confidant and counselor.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years George Allen Hook, Jr.; daughter Marilyn Hook Best; son-in-law Alfred W. “Al” Best; siblings Dewey Edgar Fortner, Bonnie Levada Howie, Pansy Greene Cashion, Thomas Jefferson Fortner, John Hayden Fortner, William Henry Fortner, James Maxwell Fortner, Ida Mae Joy, Dempsey Leroy Fortner, Melvin Sylvester Fortner, and Donald Richard Fortner.

Left to cherish her memories are her sons, Dr. George Hook and wife Linda of Rock Hill, SC, David Hook and wife Susan of Bessemer City; grandchildren Shannon Foley and husband CC, Seth Hook and wife Wendy; Kyle Hook, Missy Foley and husband Larry; Gretchen Krenzel and husband Brian; Page Stocks and husband Kyle, Adam Hook and wife Brittney and Alex Hook; great-grandchildren, Corbin, Garrett and Chandler Williams and Bailey, Mallory, Darby and Jensen Hook, Sydney Foley, Zane, Scarlett and Isla Krenzel, and Aubrey and Aedan Wren Stocks; great-great-granddaughter Lila Gray Williams.

Mary’s memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, July 7, 2019 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Bessemer City with the Rev. E. Morgan Gardner and the Rev. Connie Connelly officiating.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm Sunday, July 7, 2019 at the church.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 611, Bessemer City.