Funeral services celebrating her life will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024 at 2:00 PM in the chapel of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home with her nephew Paul Newhouse officiating. Interment will follow in Elliott-Hamil Garden of Memories where she will be laid to rest with her husband Richard Hopson.
Katie Lynn was born in Honey Grove, Texas to the late John Linton Newhouse and Irene (Wright) Newhouse. At a young age, the family moved to Van Dyke, Texas outside of Comanche, she grew up in a large family where values such as hard work and helping one another were instilled. She and her siblings created many special memories growing up and maintained special bonds throughout life. She went on to graduate from Comanche High School and later attended Amarillo, Tarrant County and Cisco Jr. Colleges. She married Jimmy Howard Hale and together they had one son, Jimmy Scott Hale. In the 60's she worked with Beech Aircraft as a part of the Gemini Space Program.
In the early 70’s she made Abilene home. She worked many years as a legal and insurance secretary. Her employers included State Farm and Farm Bureau as well as law firm work. In 1979, Katie Lynn married Richard Lee Hopson and they enjoyed 43 wonderful years together. Katie and Richard made Eastland home where they were members of the First Christian Church. After retirement, they settled in Abilene and they attended Pioneer Drive Baptist Church.
Katie was loving, organized and devoted to her family. She persevered through personal health challenges and remained strong-willed and optimistic. She could always count on the support of her family and her faith through life’s ups and downs. She was naturally creative, inventive and resourceful. She enjoyed painting, word games and travelling to visit her large family. She loved keeping up with the accomplishments of all her nieces, nephews and their children. Katie was also creative in the kitchen and in her words, “made thousands of meals” for her, Richard, and Scott. She and Richard also traveled to multiple locations to engage in games of chance.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Richard Hopson; siblings, A.H. Newhouse, Lavon Newhouse, J.L. Newhouse, H. Dean Newhouse, Hazel Conn and Mona Kientz.
She is survived by her son, Jimmy ”Scott” Hale and his wife Lori of Arvada, CO and Lori’s son Landon; sisters, Betty Wilcoxson of Woodward, OK and Judy Kennedy of Amarillo, TX; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Special thanks to all of Abilene and beyond who supported Katie throughout her journey.
