Obituary

Mary Alice Hopper

December 17, 1926 - March 12, 2021

Mary Alice Hopper, age 94 and a resident of Bogalusa, passed away on March 12, 2021 at St. Tammany Hospital in Covington, LA. She was born in Lumberton MS on December 17, 1926.

She is survived by her son, Randy (Glenda) Hopper and daughter Barbara Hopper, both of Bogalusa; sister, Pauline Branch of Bogalusa; daughter-in-law, Beverly Hopper of Long Beach, Miss.; grandchildren, Sandi (Paul) Clark of Covington, Steve Gerald of Prairieville, Brandi (Rob) Sewell of Hattiesburg, Miss., Lauren (Ricky) Payne of Mandeville, Nicole (Jason) Klein of New Orleans, and Katie Hopper (Sam Foster) of Biloxi, Miss.; as well as 11 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Mary Adelia Chapman of Lumberton, Miss.; husband, William Durand Hopper of Kosciusko, Miss.; son, Charles Hopper of Bogalusa; and sister, Charlene Frazier of Slidell.

Mary Alice was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church. In Bogalusa, she sang in the choir, taught Sunday school, and was active for many years in Keenagers, a church-based community outreach organization for senior women. During the years she lived in Kosciusko, she was employed as the church secretary.

Mary Alice was a licensed beautician, and during the 1950s and 60s she ran a small salon out of her home on West Eighth Street in Bogalusa. She continued to cut and style hair and perform manicures for her friends and family well into her later years.

She was also a talented painter, cook, and crochet artist. Her crochet designs won many blue ribbons and some best of show ribbons through the years at the Washington Parish Fair. She could crochet just about anything her granddaughters could dream up, and she filled their hope chests with beautiful baby clothes, toys, personalized towels, dishcloths, and doilies.

Mary Alice also loved making greeting cards on her computer. She spent untold hours designing and writing cards for people in her community who were celebrating good times or struggling through hardships. It became her own form of ministry. Her family made sure to always keep her stocked up on stamps, printer ink, and envelopes.

Mary Alice adored her family, immediate and extended, and doted on her six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Above all, though, she loved and was devoted to God, and she praised, thanked, and was faithful to Him all the days of her life, no matter what circumstances she encountered.

Services for Mary Alice will take place Tuesday, March 16, at the First Baptist Church of Bogalusa. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., and the funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. Rev. Greg Whaley and Rev. Bob Adams will officiate and interment will follow at Ponemah Cemetery. 

Pallbearers will be David Green, Steve Gerald, Ricky Payne, Jason Klein, Rob Sewell, Sam Foster, Drew Bennett, Luke Clark, and Zac Clark. 

Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.