Wade Hopper
Wade Hopper, 91, of Hornbeak, TN, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 27, 2023, in his home surrounded by family.
Mr. Hopper was born on October 10, 1932, in Push, TN, to the late Melvin “Red” Donald Hopper and the late Jonnie Lou Matheny Hopper. At the young age of ten, he began his lifelong farming career behind a mule and plow. For many years he and his late brother Odis Hopper farmed together. Around 1992, he went to work for Pictsweet Farms and worked there until the ripe age of 88. After approximately 78 years of farming, he could just about drive a tractor in a straight line with his eyes closed. This past summer, at the age of 90, he was still working in the garden in his backyard. The fruits of his labor were plentiful.
January 29, 1955, Mr. Hopper married the love of his life, Jo An Morris Hopper. They were married 68 years at the time of his passing. Together they raised two sons, Kenneth Hopper (Jill) of Hickman, Kentucky, and Jackie Hopper (Gina) of Hornbeak, TN. As a family, including his brother, cousins and their families, they enjoyed many camping trips to Turkey Bay where the days were filled with four-wheeler rides with lots of campfire cooking.
If you knew Mr. Wade at all, you knew he had a love for trucks and John Deere tractors. It would be safe to say, they were his passion. During his 91 years, he owned an array of different trucks and the one thing they all had in common is they were all spit shine clean all the time. You might say they were his babies and you could just about bet every two years he would trade for a new one.
The most important thing we can tell you about Wade Hopper is he knew his Lord and Savior and knew he needed to do God’s will. He was living proof you are never too old to obey the Lord. On August 20, 2023, he was baptized into Christ for the remission of his sins. What a glorious day it was! There is comfort in knowing heaven is his forever home.
In addition to his wife and sons, Mr. Wade is survived by his sister, Dorothy (Tince) Hopper of Hornbeak, TN; five grandchildren, Greg Hopper (Mandy) of Hornbeak, TN, Bobie Phillips (Justin) of Rives, TN, Anthony Owens (Stacy) of Bartlesville, OK, Bradley Owens (Peggy Lee) of Newbern, TN, and Laura Ashley Chism (Brandon) of Hornbeak, TN. He is also survived by 16 great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Odis Hopper; and three sisters, Lois James, Imogene Davis and Jo Ruth Smith.
Services for Mr. Hopper were 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 29, 2023, at White-Mahon Funeral Home in Troy, TN, with Kevin Thomason officiating. Visitation was from 11 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Burial followed in Antioch Cemetery in Hornbeak, TN.
Pallbearers included Greg Hopper, Bradley Owens, Brandon Chism, Jackson Chism, Mike Hopper and Justin Phillips. Honorary pallbearers include Anthony Owens, Jakob Hopper, Carson Collins, Copeland Chism, Braydon Chism, Grayson Owens and Jase Owens.
Condolences may be sent to the family at the funeral home website: www.white-ranson.com.
Published in The Messenger on 1.3.24