Griffin Street fire victims remembered for generosity

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February 28, 2013

Griffin Street fire victims remembered for generosity

Rachel Brown rachelbrown@daltoncitizen.com The Dalton Daily Citizen Thu Feb 28, 2013, 06:03 AM EST

Cathy Hooper said her brother-in-law and sister-in-law had little money but were both generous, caring people with hearts “the size of Texas.”

The couple, Danny and Joy Hooper, died this week after suffering from smoke inhalation and burns when their home at 217 Griffin St. in Dalton caught fire in the middle of the night Feb. 20. Both were on life support at the Joseph M. Still Burn Centers in Augusta before taking a turn for the worse.

Funeral arrangements will be announced.

Cathy Hooper said Danny, 63, was a Vietnam veteran who didn’t work because of a disability but who would often share a dollar, pocket change and his love with children he met. Joy, 62, was his “soul mate,” and she cared for him at their small home, Cathy Hooper said. Both would help anyone they could despite having so little money themselves, she said.

She said the couple moved to the house on Griffin Street to have more room for their grandchildren to visit. They had lived in a government housing project until a few months ago.

Officials have said there were no smoke alarms in the home. They believe the fire started on a couch, but haven’t determined a cause. Danny Hooper was a smoker, Cathy Hooper said, but he was trying to quit and was down to only a couple of cigarettes a week. The home had minimal electrical outlets, and they had to use extension cords to run their television and other devices, she added.

Regardless of why the fire occurred, Cathy Hooper said the family needs continued prayers. Several churches who know the family are taking up donations to help with the funeral, she said, and family members are also working to take care of a young granddaughter Danny Hooper and a the girl’s other grandmother were caring for.

Daughter-in-law Rebecca Hunter said Joy Hooper was a “fantastic” person.

“She will dearly be missed, and she will always stay in our minds and our hearts for the rest of our lives,” Hunter said.

Cathy Hooper said the family has high praise for the fire department’s work and for the care and compassion they were shown at the burn center.

The Dalton Fire Department responded to the call within minutes, performed resuscitation and got the couple on their way to Hamilton Medical Center where they stayed briefly before being flown to the burn center.

“They did a phenomenal job,” Cathy Hooper said. “We can’t thank them enough.”

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Griffin Street fire victims remembered for generosity

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