Laughty M. Hooper, 86, of Hayesville passed away Monday, March 7, 2016 in Pikeville, Kentucky. He was a native of Graham County, but was raised in Macon County. Laughty later moved to Clay County. He served in the United States Army. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for most of his life. Laughty was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church and the United Steelworkers of America Union. He enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with his kids and grandkids. Laughty was loved by all who knew him.

He was the son of the late Fred and Hester Gibson Hooper. He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Sue Byers Hooper, who died February 21, 1985; an infant sister; two brothers, Lloyd Hooper and Fred Hooper Jr.; and two grandsons, Gregory and Douglas Hooper.

Surviving are his wife, Judy Hooper; two sons, Calvin Hooper and wife, Glenda, and Butch Hooper and wife, Lynette all of Hayesville; two step-daughters, Tonya Adams and husband, Paul Michael of Pikeville, Kentucky, and Sonya Little and husband, Bryan of Lexington, Kentucky; a step-son, Bryan Adkins and wife, Stephanie of Pikeville; five sisters, Margie Gibson, Olean Sanders, Romanelle Mashburn, and Ruth Hooper all of Franklin, North Carolina, and Willa Faye Pendergrass of Nantahala; a grandson, Craig Hooper; a great grandson, Dustin Hooper; and nine step-grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 AM Friday, March 11 in the Chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville with the Revs. Clark Moss and Jimmy Rogers officiating. The interment was in Union Hill Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the Hayesville VFW Post 6812 (Allison-Bristol), American Legion Post 532, Murphy American Legion Post 96, and VFW Post 10222. Pallbearers were Dustin and Ronnie Hooper, J.D. Gibson, Dylan Adkins, Alex Little, and Chase Adams. Honorary pallbearers were R.L. and Isaac Gibson, Alvin Mashburn, and Danny Hooper.

The family received friends from 6-8 Thursday evening at the Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville.

Ivie Funeral Home, Hayesville in charge of all arrangements.