Vendie Hudson Hooks (1896-1971)

From the Atlanta Constitution, February 7, 1941.

  Vendie Hudson Hooks of Emanuel County, Georgia is another example of a curiously named clergyman gaining prominence through political service, in his case being a three-term Georgia state representative and one-term state senator. A Baptist minister for nearly fifty years, Hooks was a veteran of World War I and served as president of the Emanuel County chapter of the United Georgia Farmers. Born on November 27, 1896 in Swainsboro, Georgia, Vendie Hudson "V.H." Hooks was the son of John and Calcie America (Strange) Hooks.

  A student in the common schools of Emanuel County, Hooks would go on to attend the Georgia Normal College and Business Institute (graduating in 1915) and later pursued a teaching career, teaching at the Oak Park School. He would be affiliated with the Youmans/Yeomans Brothers Supply and Naval Store in Lexsy, Georgia, and would serve during WWI, his dates of service and area of deployment being unknown at this time. Hooks married in August 1919 to Fleetie Frances Yeomans (1900-1990) and later had six children, who are listed as follows in order of birth: Vendie Hudson Jr. (1921-2007), Frances Celeste (1923-2018), Gerald Delano (1926-2017), Sarah Marcile (born 1929), Donald Jordan (1935-2013) and Betty June (birthdate unknown).

  In the early 1920s Hooks turned his attention to religious studies, and after being licensed to preach in the Primitive Baptist Church, he took pastorates throughout Georgia, including a 39-year tenure at the Mt. Zion church, an 18-year stint at the Rosemary Church, and the Avera and New Hope churches in the town of Lexsy. In addition to active ministerial work, Hooks gained further prominence in the civic life of Emanuel County, being a member of the county board of health, the American Legion, a trustee of the Wesley, Georgia school board, a past president of the Swainsboro Production Credit Association, and was a member of the Ogeechee Production Credit Association.

  A longtime farmer in his region, Hooks' made substantial headway in Georgia agricultural circles, "farming several hundred acres of farmland and timber" in the Emanuel County area, and operated a cotton gin, sawmill, and fertilizer plant in that town. He would serve as the first president of the United Georgia Farmers and was also president of the Emanuel Chapter of the United Georgia Farmers. 

From the Atlanta Constitution.

   In 1940 Vendie H. Hooks announced his candidacy for the Georgia House of Representatives and that November won the general election. Taking his seat at the start of the 1941-43 session, he noted his primary aim was to see "better schools and a more efficient educational system in the state", as well as the "general welfare of agriculture." This term saw him named to the committees on Auditing, Counties and County Matters, Education No. 1, Enrollment (chairman), General Agriculture No. 2, Legislative and Congressional Re-Apportionment, Motor Vehicles, Privileges of the Floor, Public Highways No. 2, and Ways and Means. 

  Hooks was re-elected to the legislature in 1942 and 1944, and during the 1945-47 session was named to seven new committees, those being Amendments to the Constitution No. 1; Excuse of Members Absent Without Leave; the Georgia School for the Deaf; Hygiene and Sanitation; Invalid Pensions and the Soldiers Home; Public Welfare; and the University System of Georgia.

Hooks during his time as president of the Emanuel chapter of the United Georgia Farmers.

  In the 1946 election year, Hooks set his sights on a seat in the Georgia state senate, and that November was successful in his candidacy. The 1947-49 senate session saw Hooks serving on the committees on Agriculture, Appropriations, Conservation, Education and Public Schools, Highways and Public Roads, Insurance, Penal Institutions, and Public Welfare, and after leaving office in 1949 returned to ministerial work.  He continued in the ministry until his death at an Atlanta hospital on February 17, 1971, aged 74. He was survived by his wife and children and later was interred at the New Hope Church Cemetery in Nunez, Georgia. Curiously, Hooks' obituary denotes him as having served four terms in the Georgia House of Representatives, which is incorrect, as the Georgia State Register records him as serving three terms (1941-47) and one term in the state senate (1947-49).

From the Atlanta Constitution, February 19, 1971.