Rose Marie Looney Hernandez, 98, passed away June 18, 2020, in Birmingham, Ala.

Marie was born in Decatur, Ala., Feb. 6, 1922. She spent most of her life in her beloved Vicksburg.

She retired in 1991 after 30 years as Deputy Tax Assessor for Warren County.

She was active in civic and religious affairs, past State President of the Mississippi Federation of Business and Professional Woman, named Mississippi Woman of Achievement in 1995 by the Federation and the first woman elected as president of the Mississippi Lions Sight Foundation.

She was appointed by Gov. Bill Waller to serve on the Governor’s Commission on the Status of Women and served several years on the Mississippi Women’s Cabinet of Public Affairs.

Hernandez was also past president of the Vicksburg Lions Club, Vicksburg Community Concerts, Engineers Club Auxiliary and Pi Alpha Kappa Sorority. In addition, she was the charter president of the Floral Garden Club, served on the Board of Directors for Vicksburg Community Council and United Way. She also received the United Way Presidents Award in 1993, was past director of Miss Vicksburg Scholarship Pageant, past president of the Crawford Street United Methodist Women and served on the church Board of Trustees.

She is predeceased by her husband, Samuel Oscar Hernandez; her parents Pascal Looney and Pearl McDonald Looney Abel; and brother Alonzo McDonald.

She is survived by sisters, Caroline Looney Painter, Deborah Daugherty and brother Quentin Looney; her son, S. Robert Hernandez (Joy), grandchildren, Susan Marie Hernandez Ray (Jeff), Robert Hernandez (Carrie); and great-grandchildren, Mary Douglas, Walker, Helena, Sam and Julia.

Graveside services will be held for immediate family Monday, June 22 at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery under the direction of Fisher-Riles Funeral Home.

Memorials to Crawford Street United Church or the Mississippi Lions Sight Foundation.