Roger Franklin ""Joe"" Hoover

Beloved Baptist minister, Brother Joe Hoover, went to be with the Lord from his home on November 1st, 2012. He was born July 31, 1921 and grew up in Decatur, Alabama. He married the love of his life, Avorine C. Hoover on September 26, 1942 and they were married 67 years, 2 months, 2 weeks and 2 days until the Lord called her home. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Army in WWII and received two purple hearts for participating in the Rhineland Campaign in Central Europe and was honorably discharged on December 2, 1945. In October 2009, he was able to go aboard the "Honor Flight" to Washington, D.C. with other veterans to visit the WWII War Memorial. He considered this one of the highpoints of his life. After returning home from the war, Bro. Joe started working in the monument business and eventually bought Decatur Marble & Granite Works in the early 1950's. He continued as owner for almost 60 years. Bro. Joe was licensed to preach at 16th Avenue Baptist Church on August 12, 1959. He was the first pastor of Westmeade Baptist Church and was given the distinction of Pastor Emeritus on October 5, 2008. He pastored four churches and served in the capacity of interim pastor more than 30 times. Brother Joe was an avid golfer until his health declined in mid-June of this year. Even though he was not behind the pulpit, he continued to minister the Gospel until the morning of his passing surrounded by his three daughters. Bro. Joe will be missed greatly by his family and the many lives that were touched by his Christian influence. Funeral services will be Sunday, Nov. 4 at 2:00pm at Westmeade Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Scotty Hogan officiating. The body will be at the church one hour prior to the service with Shelton Funeral Home directing. Burial will be in Decatur City Cemetery. Family will receive friends on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 6:00 - 8:00pm at Shelton Funeral Home. Survivors include: one son, Roger Hoover of Decatur; three daughters, Cindy Tapscott and husband Johnny of Decatur, Amy Frank and husband Jerry of Decatur, and Sara Hoover of Helena; one daughter-in-law, Becky Hoover of Decatur; eleven grandchildren: Leah Hoover, Allison Culwell, Courtney Andrews, Brad Tapscott, Wes Tapscott, Rachel Tapscott, Jacob Frank, Katie Frank, Joseph Frank, Judah Frank and Elizabeth Frank; 13 great grandchildren, Hayley Hoover, Payton Hoover, Natalie Hoover, Sidney Grace Culwell, Ellie Andrews, Sydney Andrews, Mallory Andrews, Bradley Tapscott, Drew Tapscott, Luke Tapscott, Lily Frank, Levi Frank, and Asher Frank. Pallbearers will be Brad Tapscott, Wes Tapscott, Jacob Frank, Joseph Frank, Judah Frank and Richard Gurley. Honorary pallbearers will be deacons of Westmeade Baptist Church and all Baptist ministers in the area. The family would like to thank all the Hospice of North Alabama and the Home Instead caregivers for their loving, tender care of our loved one. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Hospice of North Alabama, 3311 Bob Wallace Ave. Suite 101, Huntsville, AL 35805.

Roger Franklin ""Joe"" Hoover

July 31, 1921 - November 1, 2012