Feb. 15--A mention in "Teesee's Town," a column written by Theresa "Teesee" Fambro Hooks in the Chicago Defender, was for years highly sought after in the African-American social scene.
"Teesee is a legend in our community for her columns and work in the community," said Cheryl Mainor, president and publisher of the Chicago Defender. "Her columns were some of the most popular features in the Defender. People picked up the Defender to see what was happening in 'Teesee's Town.'
"If you made it into Teesee's column, it meant you arrived."
Hooks, 80, who began working at the Chicago Defender in 1961, died of natural causes Jan. 31, in her Chicago home, her family said.
"Teesee's value systems and the Defender's population were really aligned," said her goddaughter, Gloria Jenkins. "Her life's work was the advancement of African-Americans. She loved it. It was her passion. She was deeply in tune with the heartbeat of the African culture, and she did her best to showcase it."
At the Defender, Hooks had many roles over the years. She was the women's editor, society columnist, and food and fashion expert. She also wrote an advice column as "Arletta Claire" and a column called "Social Whirl" which became "Teesee's Town," one of the most popular features in the Defender, Mainor said.
She used social events and her column as a platform to highlight individuals, groups or organizations.
"Any event or any activity that she could spotlight and to put a profile on the African-American community, she would," said friend William Rogers, an account executive at the Defender. "She was a night owl. Some nights she didn't go home. She would come back her after an event, write it up and often stayed here and slept in her chair."
"It takes a village to raise a child, and I call her one of the mothers of the village that helped raise the Defender to what it is today," Rogers said.
Born and raised in Chicago, Hooks graduated from Parker (now Robeson) High School in 1953. An only child, Hooks was strongly influenced by her mother, who was a graduate of Spelman College in Atlanta and the hostess of Spelman's alumnae events in her home.
Hooks attended the University of Illinois, Roosevelt University and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in their fashion design department. A talented seamstress, Hooks would often sew her own outfits, Jenkins said.
"She would sew elaborate items. I would certainly consider her a fashionista. She had a lot of relationships with boutique owners and was very particular and definitely had an eye for fashion," Jenkins said.
Before joining the Defender, Hooks worked in public relations in several area businesses and formed her own agency, Teesee Fambro Hooks and Associates.
Beyond her jobs at the Defender, friends said her church, Trinity United Church of Christ, played a significant role in her life. And one of highlights was attending the first presidential inauguration of Barack Obama, a fellow member of the church.
"She so loved her church and her community," said Ollie McLenore, a friend for 60 years. She was a loving and caring person. I don't think I ever heard of anyone who did not like Teesee. To know her was to love her."
She was past national president of the national Association of Media Women.
Hooks married William Billy Hooks III in 1963. Although the couple divorced, they remained close friends, said Jan Hooks, her former stepdaughter.
"She was an amazing, very loving and caring person," Jan Hooks said.
Other survivors include another stepdaughter, Dianne Gonzalez.
Services were held.
Trebe is a freelance reporter.