ADVANCE, Mo. -- Grace V. Hoover, 86, of Cape Girardeau passed away Friday, Oct. 19, 2012, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

She was born March 23, 1926, at Poplar Bluff, Mo., the daughter of Carl and Grace Jenkins Richmond.

Grace was retired professor emeriti from Southeast Missouri State University, where she served for nearly 30 years as chair of the former Department of Home Economics. She retired in May 1990 but continued her association with the University as coordinator of academic advising for the College of Health and Human Services on a part-time basis until 1995.

An Advance native, Grace was a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia.

Grace was instrumental in establishing the university's Center for Child Studies; Center for Aging and Gerontology; Workshop of Wheels; the Elderhostel program; geriatric sitters training; dietary managers training; the former Work and Family Institute; and the Eldercare Center, which was named the Grace V. Hoover Center in recognition of her work through the years with senior adults. For nearly 50 years, Grace served as the sponsor of the university chapter of Kappa Omicron Phi, the national home economics honorary society.

She served for 20 years on the Southeast Missouri State University Alumni Association board of directors. She had also been active on the Southeast Booster Board, the Southeast Missouri University Foundation, the President's Council and the Host International Student program. She has hosted 20 international students through the years.

She established a scholarship in her name through the Southeast Missouri University Foundation for international students studying home economics at Southeast, in addition to an endowment to enrich the home economics program at Southeast.

She was also active in several community organizations, including the Girl Scouts of Otahki Council, which honored her with a Woman of Distinction Award at its 80th anniversary celebration in 1992.

Grace was also a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Grace and Leslie D. "Jim" Hoover were united in marriage Aug. 22, 1949, at the Advance United Methodist Church and he preceded her in death Sept. 4, 1991.

Survivors include a son; Joseph Hoover of Kennett, Mo.; a daughter, Susan (Russell) Mitten of Jefferson City, Mo.; three brothers, Carl Richmond and Bill Richmond, both of Springfield, Mo., and Mark Richmond of Advance; a sister, Carol Sue Burford of Cape Girardeau; five grandsons; and five great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Jim and Harry.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Tom Sullenger officiating. Burial will follow at Morgan Memorial Park in Advance.

Morgan Funeral Home in Advance is in charge of arrangements.