Grace Chandler Hopper

Grace was born on August 30, 2017 – the beloved daughter of Caroline and Aaron Hopper and adored big sister to Charlotte. She arrived on her due date with her mother’s round face and her father’s eyes. It was perfect timing from a perfect little girl who shared her joy and kindness with everyone who knew her.

Grace had a fun-filled childhood in Central City, Arkansas: she loved playing on the swing set in her backyard, cooking in her play kitchen, snuggling with her cat she named Gnocchi (after the cat from Curious George), driving in her toy Jeep, going on adventures, and being showered with love by her close-knit family and their extended community of friends, many of whom they met at Greenwood First Baptist Church.

From her earliest months, it was obvious that Grace was both uncommonly beautiful (the kind of adorable child who inspired strangers to stop and exclaim, “She looks like a doll!”) and filled with a remarkably strong spirit. Grace was fearless, tough, opinionated, and determined. She was also loving – the sweetest and most enthusiastic and gentle sister when baby Charlotte was born in July 2021. Of all Grace’s loves – animals, singing, dress-up, the color pink, fresh flowers, unicorns, Christmas trees, her friends – nothing topped how much she relished being a big sister. And for Charlotte, nobody was more important than Sissy.

On February 18, 2022, at four years old, Grace was diagnosed with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Grace endured an unimaginable number of treatments at Arkansas Children’s Hospital and Arkansas Children’s Northwest; participated in a clinical trial at Children's Mercy in Kansas City; and displayed a level of bravery and resilience that will always inspire reverent admiration from her family, her friends, and her care team.

While she was being treated, Grace continued to enjoy life and appreciate exciting new experiences. Grace felt a strong bond with Disney princesses – especially Aurora, Cinderella, Elsa, and Tiana. In the spring of 2023, she got to realize a dream when she visited Disney World. She rode roller coasters with her best friend, Parker; met her favorite characters; had a front-row seat for a parade; and had an amazing time at the most magical place on Earth. Less than a month before she died, Grace was having a ball on play dates. She had a true zest for life, and it would be impossible to overstate how hard she fought cancer.

Grace touched so many people, including those who loved and knew her well and acquaintances who were following her journey and praying for her. She is survived by her parents, Caroline and Aaron Hopper; sister, Charlotte Hopper; grandparents, Sandra Buchanan, Bruce Buchanan (Jocelyn), and Eddie Hopper; and aunts and uncles, Faith Short (Brett), Tyler Hopper (Dru), and Jamie Hopper. She has joined her grandmother, Diane Hopper, in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Hoppers are grateful for all the people who provided love and support since Grace’s diagnosis, and for the doctors and nurses who worked tirelessly to give Grace the best possible treatment plan, especially Dr. Cristyn Branstetter.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Keep the Faith Foundation, P.O. Box 487,

Cabot, AR 72023.

Visitation was from 5 - 7 p.m. on Monday, June 12 at Greenwood First Baptist Church (19 No. Adair St). Funeral service was 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13 at Greenwood First Baptist Church under the direction of McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.

To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.mcconnellfh.com.