Lilly Loise Culp Hogan, age 103, the oldest veteran at The Armed Forces Retirement Home (ARFH) in Gulfport, died on Nov. 19, 2023, after living a long, happy, and productive life. Born Feb. 5, 1920, to Lilly Maude and James Monroe Culp in rural Ebenezer in Obion County, Tenn., she was the tenth of 11 children.
She grew up in that community, excelling in her studies and living through the great depression on the family farm.
After high school, Loise worked in Union City, Tenn., and met her husband, Reed Blanchard Hogan. Both enlisted in the Navy during World War II. Reed served in the South Pacific, as a Pharmacist’s Mate and Marine Raider. Loise became a Wave and was assigned to Naval Intelligence as a Cryptologist, where she helped break Japanese codes. They married in 1944. When the war ended, they both attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she graduated with a degree in Business Education.
After college, the couple lived in Union City, Tenn., and then in Clarksdale, where they raised their four children. Reed was the administrator of the old Clarksdale Hospital and later opened the Coahoma County Hospital, serving as Administrator until his untimely death in 1964. Loise remained in Clarksdale, raising her children as a single mom, and instilling in them the importance of faith and education. Today, two are medical doctors, one has a Ph.D., and one is a lawyer. The family attended Oakhurst Church of Christ.
Loise later lived in Jackson, Miss., before entering the AFRH in Gulfport in 1993. She genuinely enjoyed her time there, finding a wonderful community of veterans, dedicated staff, and many friends. Loise entertained the residents and staff by saying the alphabet backwards and often sang, painted, and dominated both bingo and shuffleboard. She enjoyed her longtime friend, companion and dance partner, Andy Pelkofer.
The family thanks the staff on Loyalty Hall and throughout the AFRH for the sensitive and loving care shown to their mother. She will be missed by all.
Loise was predeceased by her parents, all siblings and her beloved husband, Reed. She is survived by her children, Mary Beth Hogan (Scott Dooley) of Fayetteville, N.C., Reed Blanchard Hogan II (Diane Viner) of Jackson, Jeannie Hogan Sansing (Perry) of Oxford, and Kimberly Hogan Pesaniello (John) of Snow Hill, Md. She also adored her seven grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
As the family mourns, we also celebrate and honor the life of our wonderful mother. A memorial service was held in Gulfport, followed by burial in Union City, with military honors.
The family requests that any memorial donations be sent to the University of Tennessee scholarship fund created in her honor: https://giving.utk.edu/hogan Please contact Taylor Thomas with UTK at 865-974-8572 or taylor@utk.edu if you have questions.
