Hopkinsville native bell hooks, born Gloria Jean Watkins, dies at 69

One of the most accomplished natives to ever come from Hopkinsville, renowned author and feminist Gloria Jean Watkins, better known by her pen name of bell hooks, died Wednesday morning at the age of 69.

Family said on social media that Watkins died surrounded by family and friends at her home in Berea.

She often focused on race, capitalism and gender in her writings and was a professor at numerous colleges and universities across the country before spending significant time at Berea College.

Museums of Historic Hopkinsville-Christian County Director Alissa Keller recognized bell hooks during Women’s History Month of 2020, noting the Hopkinsville High School graduate would go on to make a global impact.

There was a suggestion by the Kentucky House Democratic Women’s Caucus last summer to place a statue of bell hooks in the state capitol where the statue of Jefferson Davis once stood.

Funeral arrangements for Gloria Jean Watkins, better known as bell hooks, have not been announced.