Mary Hook

Mary Julia Hook was born on October 31, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri and passed away on April 27, 2021 in Little Rock, Arkansas at the age of 74.  Julia grew up in Dallas, Texas and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1964.

After high school, Julia attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, History and French; and a Master of Arts in Political Science.  While at SMU, she was an active member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and a member of many national professional honor societies.  Julia earned her J.D. (cum laude, Order of the Coif) in 1972 from Southern Methodist University School of Law; and her LL.M. (cum laude) in 1975 from Harvard University School of Law in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

She began her career in 1973 as a senior trial attorney in the Land and Resource Division of the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C.  She later (1976) worked at several Denver-based law firms where she represented oil and gas and mining clients.  She handled numerous matters involving mining claims under the General Mining Law of the United States, shale oil-related litigation, Indian law-related litigation, and other matters concerning natural resources.  Julia’s legal work also involved working with international governments.

Julia was a genealogy enthusiast and polished musician.  She had a keen interest in collecting modern art and enjoyed world travel.  Upon retiring, she moved to Little Rock, Arkansas to be near her sister, nieces, and nephews.  She was an active member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Arkansas Pioneers, and P.E.O.  She was a charter member of St. James United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Julia was preceded in death by her parents, Vernon and Dula Hook; brother-in-law, Keith Jernigan; and nephew, Mark Jernigan.  Julia’s survivors include her husband, David Smith, Maumelle, Arkansas; her sister, Frances Jernigan, Little Rock, Arkansas; her brother, Robert Hook (Sally), The Woodlands, Texas; nieces - Cynthia Jernigan Maddox (Randy), Little Rock, Arkansas; Elizabeth Jernigan Switzer (Steve), Little Rock, Arkansas; and Ashley Bennett Sigmund (Benjamin), Hockley, Texas; and nephews - David Jernigan (Stefanie) Little Rock, Arkansas; James Hook (Kateena), Tomball, Texas; and Thomas Hook (Lisa), Brenham, Texas; as well as many great nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in Julia’s memory.