Ethel "Sissy" Chapman Hopper

Ethel Gwendolyn Hopper, better known as “Sissy”, died on Monday, May 2, 2016 at the Mirador in Corpus Christi, Texas at the age of 87. She was born in Cotulla, Texas on April 15, 1929 to George W. Chapman and Wilhelmina Wightman Chapman. Sissy grew up in Cotulla and graduated from Cotulla high School. She then moved to Corpus Christi and worked for Tenneco Oil Company until she married Carl Frank Hopper of Falfurrias, Texas on June 29, 1962. They lived on the Tepeguaje Ranch near Encino, Texas until his death in 1982. She loved the outdoors and loved to ride the ranch with Frank. They had lots of friends who loved to come out to the ranch to visit. Sissy later moved into Falfurrias. She loved to joke and make people laugh. She saw the humor in almost everything and always had an optimistic outlook.

She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Frank; her parents; her brother, Wallace “Bud” Chapman and her sister, Anita Rushing. After the death of her husband, Sissy was active in carrying on their ranching and hunting operations on the ranch. She was named Rancher of the Year in 1985. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Falfurrias, the Texas and Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, the Texas Wildlife Association, the Corpus Christi Town Club and a member of Dolores Prices’ Water Color Class of Kingsville, Texas.

She is survived by her only daughter, Novia Cele Osburn and two granddaughters, Kelsey Lynne Osburn and Kailyn Elise Osburn all of Corpus Christi, Texas. She is also survived by her nephew, Wallace “Buddy” Chapman, Jr. and two nieces, Carolyn Sue Williams and Linda (Andy) Landrum. She will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Pallbearers will be Avery Kibbe, Dee Leggett, Robert Scott, Robert Funk, John Funk and Jim “Bubba” Mills, Jr.

Visitation will be held on Friday, May 6, 2016 at the Funeraria Del Angel Howard Williams in Falfurrias from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a Funeral Service to take place Saturday, May 7, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Chuck Miller officiating. Burial will follow at the Falfurrias Burial Park.

Contributions may be made to the Women’s Shelter or Driscoll Children’s Hospital.