Obituary of Betty Lou Hopper

Betty Lou Hopper December 15, 1938 – December 27, 2016 Betty Lou Carey was born on December 15, 1938 at a mining camp in Garmeda, Kentucky. She was one of six children born from the union of the late Thomas and Edith (Eldrich) Carey. Betty married the love of her life, Tunney Hopper, on May 31, 1958 in Tazewell, Tennessee. For twelve years, Betty worked as a seamstress at La-Z-Boy and then for an additional fifteen years she was employed by England Corsair. Betty had a lot of spunk and had a great sense of humor. She was kind and loving to all who knew her. Born with a green thumb, she enjoyed tending to her flowers and vegetable garden; then canning at the end of the season. As an avid dog lover, Betty rescued and cared for many pets throughout the years. You could say she was the original “dog whisperer.” Family was most important to Betty. She looked forward to family events and holidays to spend time with them, especially her grandchildren and great grandchildren. In her free time, Betty enjoyed watching her favorite World Wresting entertainer, John Cena, or completing crossword puzzles snuggled up next to her canine companions. Betty Lou Hopper age 78 of Monroe passed away on Tuesday, December 27, 2016. In addition to her parents and husband of fifty-nine years, her passing was preceded by a son: Donny Ray; a brother: William Carey; a sister: Loreen Hawkins; four brothers-in-law: Homer Fultz, Victor Kyle Hopper, Ed Evans, and Carl Hopper; three sisters-in-law: Marie Soweers, Hazel and Katherine Hopper; and two nieces: Linda Bass and Jennifer Hopper. To cherish her memory she leaves two children: Patricia Hopper and Charles (Brenda) Hopper both of Monroe; three sisters: Barb (Phillip) Marse and Patricia Fultz both of Kentucky, and Wilma (Charles) Pierce of Speedwell; two brothers: Joe (Patricia) Carey of Monroe and Jerry Carey of South Carolina; seven grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may gather from 2:00pm-7:00pm on Friday, December 30, 2016 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185. A Prayer Service will follow at 7:00pm also at Merkle’s with Reverend BJ McDaniel officiating. Friends may also gather from 1:00pm-3:00pm on Monday, January 2, 2017 at Coffey Funeral Home, 15 Beech in Harrogate, Tennessee(423) 869-4274. A Celebration of Her Life will follow at 3:00pm at Coffey’s. Burial will take place at Carr Cemetery in Speedwell. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo by visiting www.merklefs.com.