Julia Mae Bice Hoover 1922-2021

Born Oct. 15, 1922, in Drumright, Okla., and although spending most of her early life in Texas, she graduated from Oilton High School in Oilton, Okla. Julia’s great-grandfather, James W. Fulkerson, went from Kentucky to Oklahoma to join the land rush to stake out his property in what was then The Oklahoma Territory.

She was preceded in death by her father, Milton Curtis Bice, who was born in DeBerry, Texas; mother, Pansy Matlock Bice Fry, who was born in Lebanon, Mo.; brother, Milton C. Bice Jr. of Folsom, Calif.; and her husband, Harold E. “Hal” Hoover, whom she married in 1946 and together moved to Youngstown in 1947.

During World War II, she was employed at the atomic bomb plant in Oak Ridge, Tenn., where she met her husband. She worked as a fashion model for various Youngstown stores. She served on the board of the Florence Crittenden Home, was a member of the Friends of the Butler Art Institute and volunteered at Fellows Riverside Gardens and Southside Hospital.

Her hobbies were gardening, interior decorating, genealogy and bicycling. She was a member of the Outspoken Wheelmen, the Tjaatje De Witt Chapter of Colonial Dames XVII Century, the Mahoning Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), First Families of Ohio, Miriam Chapter No. 278 Eastern Star, Wimodaughsis Chapter of National Federation of Women’s Clubs, former member of Monday Book Review, a member of Tippecanoe Country Club, and Boardman United Methodist Church, where she served on the board and was chairman of the Membership and Evangelism Commission for years. She was appointed “Official Ambassador for the State of Oklahoma” in 1990 by the then-Gov. Henry Bellman.

She is survived by her son, Quinton Franklin Hoover (Diana); two granddaughters, Tina Marie Hoover-Tura (Vincent) and Stacey Bice Miller (Sean); and eight great grandchildren, Adam James Tura, Zachary Vincent Tura, Haley Marie Tura, Justin Franklin Tura, Evin Louis Tura, Quinton Henry Miller, Harrison Francis Miller and Karsten Hoover Miller.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Assumption Village for the care provided over a very difficult period.

Julia has donated her body to North East Ohio Medical University for medical research.

A memorial service will be planned at a later date.

(special notice)