Dorothy Hopper
Dorothy Rovene Hopper, 101, of Hornbeak passed away in her home on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026, surrounded by family. Ms. Hopper was born Oct. 17, 1924, in Push to the late Melvin “Red” Donald Hopper and the late Jonnie Lou Matheny Hopper.
She grew up in a time where working behind a mule, standing on a draw bar on the back of a tractor going five miles down a road to hitch a ride to work everyday and picking cotton were part of her everyday life. At an early age, Ms. Hopper began working in the cotton fields where she became known as “Tince,” due to her small demeanor. Her size did not dictate the amount of work she could do. She would out pick everyone by 100 pounds a day. This may be where her competitive streak began to show. Nevertheless, while everyone else was picking 200 pounds of cotton a day, she would pick 300 pounds. At one point, she worked in a canning factory and then went on to retire from the sewing factory, Salant, after 38 plus years.
I think it’s fair to say her favorite title was “Aunt Tince”! Aunt Tince never married and never had children of her own. However, God blessed her with nieces and nephews that she loved with all that was in her as if she had birthed them all. Aside from her strong work ethics and independent nature, she was a precious jewel to the family. She spent countless hours taking care of her nieces and nephews while their parents worked. Some would even say she was more like a grandmother than an Aunt. Her love for them was endless.
Aunt Tince was humble to say the least. She loved with all that was in her and was loved no less. If she knew you, she loved you. It didn’t matter if you were related or not, she loved you and would make it known. There was never a doubt about how she felt about anyone. When you left her house, she always told you she loved you. Her love was unconditional. Aunt Tince always put others before herself. Even as she was nearing the end of her life on earth, she was still more concerned about others than herself. The impact that she made in everyone’s life she came across was second to none, will never be forgotten and will forever be missed.
We may never know the secret to longevity, however for her it may have been her perseverance to tackle whatever came her way, never giving up, along with Dr. Pepper and sweets. Dr. Pepper was a daily ritual for her and yes, at 101, her last day on earth, she did enjoy a few sips of that good ole Dr. Pepper (at her request)! This was a woman that didn’t give up easy.
Years ago she was baptized at Hornbeak Church of Christ. Above all else, she loved God. She thanked him everyday for allowing her to wake up and put her feet on the floor. She always knew he was the one watching over her. Without a doubt, she was heaven bound.
Ms. Hopper is survived by several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Odis Hopper (Vera Mae) and Wade Hopper (JoAnn); and three sisters, Lois James (Clyde), Imogene Davis and Jo Ruth Smith (Junior).
Services for Ms. Hopper will be 1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, at White Ranson Funeral Home in Union City, with Kevin Thomason officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in New Haven Cemetery in Madie.
Pallbearers include Ted Davis, Kenneth Hopper, Jackie Hopper, Mike Hopper, Ben Jordan and Monty Davis.
The Messenger