Obituary
Smyrna – Dana Michelle Hooper-Velotta, age 44 passed away peacefully at her parent’s home in Smyrna, Tennessee on Thursday May 27, 2021.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Vernon and Ruth Hooper and Sammie Ward.
Dana was born on April 15, 1977 in Nashville, Tennessee. She was a native of Smyrna and was a pillar in the community. Dana was nick-named “Wonder Woman” by those who continually witnessed the monumental strength and heroic perseverance exhibited during her battle with pancreatic cancer. She worked as an Educational Assistant at Smyrna High School for 5 years. An Educator who had touched the lives of many throughout her 13 year tenure at Rutherford County. Dana was a Smyrna Bulldog through and through and a proud alumni member of the Class of 1996. When diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in December of 2020, Dana remained dedicated in her work and in her will to fight this illness and keep life “as normal as possible”. Her will to “keep going” never waivered throughout her battle.
Dana was a bright soul with a large smile, infectious laugh, a warm hug, and an energy that would make everyone she came in contact with feel loved. She radiated light in every room she entered and had a special way of connecting with others through being kind. She had a passion for music, movies, haunted houses, the beach, helping others, exercising and just living in the moment. Her husband and her children were the light of her life and she often shared how “happy” she was with them. She wrote on Facebook in 2018 prior to her diagnosis, ” I want someone to look back when I’m gone and say, She was of course a good mom BUT ALSO… she was so nice to me.” Dana lived her life dedicated to always making others feel loved. Her kind spirit and love has touched the lives of countless individuals. Her earthly presence will be missed in our lives forever.
Dana is survived by her husband and children, David Velotta, Steven Herron, Bently Herron, and Gabrielle “Gabby” Velotta; parents, Dan and Cathy Hooper; sister Jennifer Hooper and niece Ella; grandfather Herb (Sherrilyn) Ward; Aunt Diann Hooper (Clift) Clements; Uncles Joe (Rebecca) Ward and Tom (Sheri) Ward; many cousins; lifelong best friend/sister Jaclyn Story (Preston) Ward and nieces Rachel, Kaylyn and Emaleigh; mother in law and friend, Sallie (Don) Zettwok and an entire community of friends, coworkers, students, HEROS and loved ones.
Dana requested to be cremated and her ashes will be interred at her favorite place on earth, Mexico Beach at a later time. The memorial service and celebration of life will take place on Saturday June 5, 2021 at Smyrna Church of Christ located at 112 Division Street. Visitation will begin at noon and her service will follow at 2pm.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her children’s trust funds at any Regions Bank location (Steven Herron, Bently Herron and Gabrielle Velotta)