Joe William Hooks, 85, of LaBelle, died Wednesday, January 29, 2014, at Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Beaumont. He was born on January 20, 1929, in Kountze, to Viola Kirby Hooks and James Hooks, and had been a lifelong resident of the area. Joe was a retired operator with BFGoodrich Rubber, Port Neches.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Hooks of LaBelle; sons, David Hooks and his wife, Mary, of Lumberton and Jimmy Hooks of LaBelle; daughter, Gay Nell Ensign and her husband, Mark, of Hamshire; grandchildren, Ryan Hooks, Ashley Hooks, Cossette Callahan, Jeff Hooks, Jamie Johnson, Travis Ensign, Stephen Ensign, and Kirk Ensign; great-grandchildren, Seth Breaux, Charlie Callahan, Avery Hooks, Keeley Hooks, Barret Ensign, Arria Ensign, and Maddox Ensign; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A gathering of Mr. Hooks’ family and friends will begin at 12:00 p.m., with his funeral service to follow at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 1, 2014, at Broussard’s, 530 West Monroe, Kountze. Interment will follow at Hooks Cemetery, Kountze.

Memorial contributions may be made to American Diabetes Association, 2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 175, Houston, Texas 77057.