Kathy Hooten

Mary Kathleen "Kathy" Hooten, age 79 of Waco, joined the arms of the Lord on Monday, February 09, 2026 at Avir in Waco.

Memorial Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 16, 2026 at Aderhold Funeral Home Chapel in West, with Rex Bland Officiating. Burial will follow at Gholson Cemetery. The live stream of the service can be viewed HERE.

Kathy was born in Houston, Texas on July 27, 1946, to the late Kelly and Helen Donaldson. The third of the six "Donaldson girls," Kathy fondly remembered her childhood adventures with her sisters and delighted others with stories of growing up in the small town of Gholson, Texas. She graduated from West High School in 1964 and could recite the school song throughout her life. 

Shortly thereafter, she married Frank Bruno in 1965, and the couple moved to Georgia, where they welcomed their first child, Sam. They later lived in Ohio, where their second child, Kelly, was born, before settling in Texas, where they welcomed their third child, Rachael. 

In the next chapter of her life, Kathy moved to Waco and married the late Jim Hooten in 1979. After she finished her AAS degree in Occupational Safety and Environmental Compliance from TSTC, the couple later relocated to Houston, where Jim advanced his career at Rice University, before purchasing their home in Katy in 1985. In 1991, they returned to Waco, where Jim grew his business, Texas Laser Works, in partnership with Kelly Donaldson. 

In 1996, she moved next to her parents in Axtell where they started raising chickens and growing a garden full of all kinds of fruits and vegetables. As a devoted follower of the Baptist faith, Kathy joined Olive Branch Baptist Church and was baptized alongside her husband in 2004. After moving to Poughkeepsie, Arkansas, in 2005, she became a long-time member of Little Springs Baptist Church and later graduated from Gethsemane Bible Institute with an AAS degree in Biblical Studies. Following Jim's passing in 2015, she moved back to Waco and later to Krugerville. In 2022, she purchased a home in Gainesville to be closer to her children. Though separated from the rest of the "Donaldson girls" by many miles, Kathy made numerous trips to Waco and Mesquite to spend time with them. These visits remained among the great joys of her life.

Kathy was a fiery spirit who could find fun (and mischief) in any situation. Known for her playful sense of humor and affection, she even nicknamed her husband "Poor Jim" due to the shenanigans she put him through during their marriage. That same spirited energy showed itself in her fierce competitiveness, especially at the pool table. Kathy was an accomplished pool player who often reminisced about tournament events and proudly recalled defeating two-time World Nine-Ball Champion Johnny Archer in 2006. She continued to regularly win challenges well into her seventies, remaining a formidable player until the age of 78. In her working years, she especially enjoyed her time as a telephone switchboard operator and later as head cashier at Allen Samuels in Waco.

She also cherished the simple pleasures of life, whether spending time with family or listening to the birds. Kathy saw God's beauty in the small details and genuinely loved being around people, bringing warmth and laughter wherever she went. Collecting and displaying frogs was a favorite pastime, and she especially loved cooking for her family. She filled her home with festive decorations and the comforting smells of her favorite seasonal meals with each holiday. She delighted in telling stories, reciting poems, and joking with everyone she encountered, including her doctors and nurses. While in a rehab nursing home recovering from surgery, she made friends with everyone and took charge in her own way, helping the ones who could not help themselves. Even visiting and volunteering after she was discharged and treated them all like family.

Poetry was a favorite of Kathy's, and she often shared the poems and drawings of Shel Silverstein to her children and grandchildren. Among the most memorable were the books of Dr. Seuss, which she memorized and joyfully recited using his unique fusion of poetry and narrative. With expressive animation, she brought his stories to life, fully embracing the rhythm and rhyme while pointing out the whimsical illustrations, making learning both easy and fun. Her love of poetry also inspired her to write a poem of her own titled "Be Yourself," which she enthusiastically recited for all to hear whenever she had the chance.

Kathy deeply loved her children and grandchildren and will be greatly missed by her family. Despite the challenges she faced, she maintained a positive outlook on life and remained a force to be reckoned with, even being described as a miracle by her doctor. The family takes comfort in knowing she is now with the Lord and no longer in pain.

Kathy's legacy lives on through her three children, Sam Bruno of Waco, Kelly Bruno (Ray) Workman of Argyle, and Rachael Bruno (Jeremiah) Traxtle of Grapevine; and her six grandchildren, who affectionately knew her as "Amoo": Alex (Katie), Deanna (Phillip), Elijah (Twana), Ashley (Justin), Ky (Abbi), and Regan; along with her seven great‑grandchildren, Kathleen, Isaiah, Lily, Dominique, Alucard, Neveah, and Trinity; and her four sisters, Ethel, Tanya (John), Debby, Liz and many nieces and nephews and their families. She is also lovingly remembered by her "mother-in-heart", Billie Hooten; and seven in-laws, Laurie (John), Kathy (Forrest), Mary (Ken), Ivy (Paul), Grace, Samuel (Phyllis), and Roger (Sabrina) along with many nieces and nephews and their families.

Kathy has been reunited with her husband, Jim Hooten; parents, Kelly and Helen Donaldson; her sister, Margaret Smith, nephew, Russell Kelly Smith; FIL, Samuel V. Hooten, BIL Steve and her cherished cat, Rocky.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Four Paws One Heart in Trophy Club (venmo @rescuefourpawsoneheartinc) or the American Cancer Society/donate/donate-by-mail-or-phone.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">American Cancer Society.