Dr. S. Denise Hooper Elliott, PhD, RN, CNE, passed away suddenly on February 26, 2023. She was the daughter of Air Force MSgt Woodrow Hooper and Alene Ramey Hooper. While she traveled a lot in her younger years as the daughter of an Army Air Corp serviceman, she was raised in Dickson, TN. After high school, she attended the St. Thomas Aquinas School of Nursing in Nashville, Tennessee, where she met and married her husband, George Edward Elliott, of 40 years. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Samford University, her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Tennessee, and her Doctor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Denise's childhood dream was to become either a teacher or a nurse, and her career at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville, AL, allowed her to do both. She joined the staff at Wallace State as an LPN instructor in 1975 and retired as the Nursing Department Chairperson in 2010.  Dr. Elliott's love for nurses, students, and teaching didn't end with retirement. She continued to stay active in the nursing education community, as a private consultant and most recently as a nurse consultant for the Alabama Board of Nursing Education Programs.  Dr. Elliott was named a UAB School of Nursing Respected Leader in Nursing in 2010. She received her Certified Nurse Educator designation in 2012 and received the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing Living Legacy Award in 2012.  She loved to cook, entertain, read, and travel, but her favorite pastime was to relax while spending time with family and friends.

Denise is preceded in death by her parents, her sister Sherrill Hooper and her beloved husband, George Elliott. She is survived by her son Steven Elliott, sister Louise Shankle, cousin Dianne Shelton, nephew Dan (Gwen) Bates, nieces Jennifer (Brian) Brandt, Jill Benz, Sarah (Josh) Fields, Kelly (Jason) Graves, The Girl's Dinner & Support Group with Carolyn Chalkley, Beverly Coleman, Cheryl Markeles and Charlotte Blackston, her dearest friend Merle Clement, her chosen family Heath (Jessica) Clement, Melissa (Kevin) Akers and their children Mary Claire, Ben, Liam and Michael, and so many other beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who all loved their "Niecie". No formal service will be held, and a private celebration of life will be held at a later date. We ask that you enjoy time with your family and friends as she would have. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ida V. Moffett School of Nursing Scholarship (IVMSON), the Alabama Board of Nursing Scholarship Fund, or the Wounded Warrior Project.