Obituary of Inez Catherine Steele Hoots

Inez Catherine “Caye” Steele Hoots, 88, entered into the arms of her Lord, Redeemer, and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Saturday, April 6, 2024. Caye was born on December 26, 1935 in Centralia, WA to Bazil Edward and Gladys Eva (Nara) Steele. On July 3, 1955, Caye married her most cherished friend and love of her life, Thomas Hoots.

At the age of 12, she, her parents and her brother Ed moved to Chula Vista, CA.  Caye started playing the piano at the age of 7, she was a majorette in the marching band at Chula Vista High School, and was an avid swimmer.  She graduated as the valedictorian of her high school class and received a full scholarship to the University of Southern California.  She was a proud Trojan at USC until she met her future husband and life-long companion, Tom Hoots, who was at the time serving in the US Navy.  Tom and Caye moved to Tom’s home town of Hendersonville, NC in 1955 and started their family. 

Caye fell in love with the mountains of WNC and became a passionate gardener.  With her love of music, she was a natural and gifted piano teacher and many young people in the community learned from her.  In the 1990s, due to her mother’s breathing difficulties, she and Tom moved to New Mexico where they lived in Albuquerque and Truth or Consequences.  While living in New Mexico, Caye took up oil painting.  She entered her paintings in many art shows and won several blue ribbons.

Caye and Tom loved to travel. Their adventurous natures led to them crisscrossing the nation many times.   They especially enjoyed traveling around the southwestern states.

An unwavering faith and love of God guided she and Tom throughout their lives.  Caye loved her family, friends, and loved her life.

In addition to her parents, Caye was preceded in death by her loving husband of 67 years, Thomas “Tom” David Hoots; son, David Hoots; daughter, Clara Thomas; brother, Edward Steele; great-granddaughters, Alyssa Justice and Kayla Andrews.

Left to cherish Caye’s memory are her son, Andrew Hoots and wife Linda; daughters, Eileen Regnier and husband Rick, Esther Stepp and husband Lester, and Jeanette Dunst and husband Russ; grandchildren, Amy, Randall, Ricky, Brian, Jaci, Jessica, Andy, Amber, Sarah, Christina, Serena, and Justin; great-grandchildren, Jason, Shaelyn, Mikey, Hailey, Jeremiah, Jacob, Riley, Sophie, Bennett, Penelope, Holden, and Brennan; great-great grandchild, Raylinn; and many loving nieces, nephews, and family members.

The family will receive friends from 1:15 pm to 2:00 pm Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm with Marjorie Lehman and Eleanor Leszewska officiating.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am Thursday, April 11, 2024 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hendersonville, NC. Caye’s family will be serving as pallbearers.

A  luncheon and time of fellowship will follow at the Fellowship Hall located on the grounds at Forest Lawn.

Carter-Trent Funeral Home in Kingsport is serving the Hoots family.