Delia Ann (Berkley) Hooks was born in Charlotte County, VA on May 2, 1935 to Reed and Mattie Sue Berkley*. Delia was the second oldest of their four children. She was predeceased by her siblings Corean Jackson, Joe Lewis Berkley, and Mack Berkley. Delia was raised in Brookneal. She received her education through the Charlotte County and Appomattox County public school system. She did very well in school because getting an education was always a priority for her. At an early age, Delia accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She became a member of Hat Creek Baptist Church with her family and friends.

In 1949, Delia met her very first love, Robert Hamlett. From their relationship, they had their first-born son Richard L. Berkley, Sr. A few years later, she met and fell in love with John Howard Marshall and the two married in 1951. From their union, the two had four children, Rebecca Ann, John Howard II, Lizzie Mae and Benjamin Lee Marshall. Delia took pride in raising her five children and always expressed the importance of getting a good education. Delia taught her children that knowledge and education is something the world could never take from you. Her children were always her first and last priority in life.

In 1968 Delia moved her family to the Bronx, NY in pursuit of better career opportunities and to be closer to her family/friends. It was there that Delia started a career as a para-professional working with emotionally disturbed children in the New York City public school system. In 1976, Delia met and married James "Bam-Bam" Hooks. While she loved the city life, she yearned to get back to her southern roots. In 1981, she did just that and returned home to Virginia. Lynchburg became her home, and it was there that she was able to dive into her true passions in life.

Delia began to explore her love for gardening. She used her neighborhood as a landscape to create some of the nicest gardens Lynchburg has ever seen. Delia also found purpose in creating a neighborhood that everyone could feel safe in. She was affectionately named "The Enforcer" for her tough love and fearless ability to keep her neighborhood protected. You knew you were in Delia's home when you got to the door and heard her infamous police scanner.

When she wasn't sitting in her favorite spot on her porch, Delia was enjoying one of her many hobbies. Crocheting, knitting and quilting became her favorite past times. Some of the most beautiful quilts were made by her hands. You could feel the love in every patch. Delia also had a love for dolls, often making them hand-made outfits to add to her enormous collection.

Aside from being an adoring mother, she was a dotting grandmother to 10 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great grandchildren. Her grandchildren would often spend weekends and summers with Grandma Dee. Saturdays were made for yard sales in Delia's world and her grandchildren weren't far behind for these adventures. Whether it was bingo night, fishing trips or oatmeal on Sunday morning, her grandchildren were always full from their experiences and memories with her.

One of Delia's greatest accomplishments was finishing her GED at the age of 64. She was so proud of this moment. She wanted to prove to her children, her grandchildren and herself that age is not a limitation in life. This milestone was one of many in the long list of her achievements. She was hailed as a top activist and volunteer cultivating a sense of community in her neighborhood. She was honored in 1994 by the Lynchburg Branch of the NAACP for her dedication to uplifting the Daniel's Hill community and her efforts to reduce crime in her neighborhood. She received several awards over the years including The Neighborhood Alliance Network Community Achievement Award, The Good Neighbor Award from the Lynchburg Depressive Disorders Association and a certificate of graduation from the Lynchburg Police Department Citizen's Police Academy.

Delia's health began to fail in 2018. Despite her struggling health, she remained a pillar in her family and in her community. Her doors were always open, and she continued to encourage everyone while dealing with her declining health. Delia believed that when the going gets tough, you have to just KEEP GOING. It is this mantra and beautiful legacy that will continue to touch all that love and knew her, for generations to come.

Delia Ann Hooks departed this life into an eternal rest on Saturday, July 3, 2021 at her daughter's home surrounded with love. We will miss her feisty spirit, thrifty fashion sense, her meals made with love and her dedication to those she cared for. She leaves a legacy of love, strength and precious memories to her five children: Richard Berkley Sr. (Gloria*), Rebecca Ann Franklin (William*), John Howard Marshall II (Lorraine), Lizzie Mae Harris (Scott) and Benjamin Lee Marshall. She was predeceased by her only Godson, Bruce Hamlett*. Her 10 grandchildren: Charlena, Richard Jr., John Howard III, Jessyca, Jasmine, Tristin, Lynijah, Giselle, Shaniqua and Cynthia. Her 15 great-grandchildren: Tiana, Anthony, Autumn, RaShonda, Richard III, Natassia, Sy-Naisha, Joelle, Kaiya, Myles, Vanessa, Jackson, Carter, Nubia and Lyla. She also leaves 13 great-great grandchildren to cherish her memory. Delia also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins and close friends.

She was predeceased by a loving companion of over 20 years, Archie Callahan*. She is survived by one living aunt, Mrs. Martha Berkley of Lynchburg Virginia.

*This indicates a deceased relative or friend.

A funeral service will be held 2PM Saturday, July 10, 2021, at Hat Creek Baptist Church with Pastor Haley, Eulogist. Interment will be in the church cemetery. A visitation will be held 4-8PM Friday, July 09, 2021, at Davis-Turner Funeral Service. Service of comfort rendered by Davis-Turner Funeral Service.