Douglas W. Hoots

After a brief illness and with his family by his side, Douglas Wayne (Doug) Hoots passed from this life on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at North MS Medical Center in Tupelo. Doug is fully healed and now reunited with his wife, Peggy Smith Hoots and his parents, Lawrence Trice and Euclee Phillips Hoots, who preceded him in death. 

Doug was born in Monroe County, MS on May 28, 1942 and grew up in Smithville, MS. Growing up, Doug was known to be a very good student and graduated with honors from Smithville High School (class of 1960) and was Mr. Smithville High School that same year. He then attended Itawamba Junior College for two years and it was there that he met the love of his life, Peggy Smith (Miss Hatley High School, class of 1960). They were united in marriage on February 16, 1963 and spent the next 60 years together until Peggy’s passing in March of 2023. They were faithful members of the Amory Church of Christ for 50+ years. 

Doug was a great provider for his family. He went to work at Kerr-McGee Chemical (formerly known as American Potash) in early 1965 and retired in 2003 after 38 years of loyal and dedicated service. He was “boots on the ground” when the first pound of titanium dioxide was produced at the facility. His co-workers would be quick to tell you that he had a vast knowledge of the plant’s operations. He spent the majority of his years working in PTS (Plant Technical Services) and later oversaw water treatment for the facility. 

Doug was an avid follower and supporter of all Mississippi State sports team. He was especially fond of Mississippi State baseball, having attended his first game there in 1977 with his son by his side. In addition, he was an outdoorsman and his passion was bird hunting. He and his brother in-law, Tommie Smith, walked countless miles thru the hills and hollers of Northeast MS hunting quail. These were times Doug truly cherished. Some of his other hunting companions included Phil Sullivan and Rick Marchant. 

In his later years, Doug cherished the simple things in life. He always loved Christmas and enjoyed his family being together. He also loved gardening vegetables and mowing his yard. He took great pride in that. Even after his health began to fail, he wanted to make sure his yard was maintained. 

Doug will be dearly missed by his family and those that knew him. He is survived by his daughter, Renee Vineyard (Steve) of Amory; son Van Hoots (Alisha “BB”) of Amory; brother Phil Hoots (Glenda) of Smithville; grandchildren Lindsey Vineyard (Clay) of Starkville, MS and Cameron Pierce (Serenity) of Amory; two great grand-children, Mary Morgan Pierce and Silas Pierce of Amory; brother in-laws James “Jim” Smith (Mary Nell) of Tampa, FL, Tommie Smith (Clara) of Hatley and Gerald McDill of Brandon, MS; sister in-laws June Boyd of Hatley, Jeanette Chism (Larry) of Tupelo, Ellen Hall (Tom) of Hatley, Diane Smith of Hatley and Ann Smith of Hatley; cousins Jimmy Phillips of Becker and Eloise Harrison of Hatley; 13 nieces and 11 nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy; parents, Trice and Euclee; a sister in-law, Joyce McDill; brother in-laws, Dale Smith, David G. Smith and Charles Boyd. 

EE Pickle Funeral home in Amory is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Visitation is set for Tuesday, July 2, from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. The funeral is set for 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 3rd at the funeral home chapel with minister Phillip Hathcock presiding. Visitation will resume at 10:00 AM the day of the funeral. Burial will immediately follow at the Hatley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Clint Hoots, Michael Hoots, Barry Smith, Allen Boyd, Cameron Pierce, Clay Tyson and Steve Turner. Honorary pallbearers are Jimmy and Peggy Abel, Tommy and Gail Ford, Rick Lochridge, Phil Sullivan and Rick Marchant. 

A special “Thank You” goes out to Teresa Childers, Kim Thomas, Jessica Raper, Charlotte Blake and the remainder of the employees of Oak Tree Manor in Amory. 

Memorials may be made to the Amory Church of Christ, 1005 N. Boulevard Drive, Amory, MS 38821 or to “Quail Forever” at www.quailforever.org/.