Rev. Thomas Newton Hoover was born January 26,1961, to the late William Thomas Hoover and Sandra Anderson Hoover. He died on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. In addition to his father, he was predeceased by his wife of 42 years, Donna Goodin Hoover; and a sister, Cathy Hoover.
He is survived by his mother, Sandra Moore (Nathan); his daughters, Sallie Hughes (Jon), Elizabeth Brittain (Alan Reavis), and Madison Hoover; four grandchildren, Brooklyn Hughes, Journey Hughes, Malachi Brittain, and Caiden Reavis; two sisters, Kay Shew (Melvin), and Andrea Konigsamen Ellis; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He graduated from South Iredell High School in 1979 and earned a Business Administration degree at Mitchell Community College. He attended Pfeiffer University. He publicly answered the call to preach the gospel October 23, 1987, and studied for the ministry at West Lenoir Baptist School of Ministry, earning a Christian Education degree and a Master of Divinity degree. He worked with individuals who had development disabilities while working on his master’s degree.
He was licensed to preach September 6, 1989, at St. Mark Baptist Church. While at St. Mark’s, he was a choir member, taught Sunday school, and on Staff as Missionary in Wales, Great Britain, where he preached in the capital city, Cardiff, and in numerous churches throughout the Rhondda valley.
He was ordained to the office and work of Deacon at Mountain Road Baptist Church and served as chairman for three years. He also served as treasurer and music director for evening and mid-week services.
While at Fairview Baptist Church, he was ordained to the ministry, served as Deacon, and adult men’s Bible class teacher. He was certified as an ESL teacher and led ESL groups.
He was a past member of West Iredell Ruritan, served as treasurer and board member during the construction of the West Iredell Ruritan building.
He pastored Faith Presbyterian Church, PCA., Mount Mourne, and was a member of Central Carolinas Presbytery and Catawba Valley Presbytery for 13 years until his blindness.
He was a bi-vocational minister. He was employed as a bookkeeper, bank teller and tax preparer. Certified by the State Bureau of Investigation, he provided administrative support for the Detention Center with the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office. He was also employed by Iredell County Department of Social Services as a caseworker in the family and children Medicaid unit.
During his disability retirement, he became a member of Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church. He was Council Vice President, choir member, lay reader and Sunday school teacher. He supplied the pulpit and led services on occasions. Rev. Hoover was bestowed the Visionary Award declaring him as honorary pastor of their congregation.
He enjoyed working in his small vineyard and gardens. He had an extensive heirloom seed collection & had much success in growing flowers and vegetables.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, at Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church, Statesville N.C. Pastors Rev. William (Bill) Ketchie and Rev. Rocket Barber will officiate. Burial will follow in the Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church cemetery. The family will visit with friends prior to the service from 1 until 2 p.m.
Troutman Funeral Home, Troutman, N.C., is entrusted with serving the Hoover family.