Mary Wilson Hopper of Lamkin, Texas passed away on January 3, 2026, returning home to her Savior. Mary was born September 18, 1943, in Erath County, Texas to Leta M. Wiggins and Truman O Wilson. She spent most of her childhood in the Wilson Community in Comanche County Texas in the house built by her grandfather, the same house in which her mother grew up. She married T.M. Carson, “Jr” in April on 1961 and graduated from Carlton High School that May. The marriage produced three children. Bob, Dan and Kim. After Mary and “Jr” parted ways she met and married the love of her life, Lee Roy Hopper, Jr in June of 1974. They worked side by side at farming, ranching and running a bull dozing business. They worked hard as a family and played hard as a family. Whether in the field chopping sunflowers, picking up rocks, a week during summer spent on Lake Proctor or winter-time deer hunting they did it all as a family. Dan, her youngest son relates, “you didn’t dare go hunting without Mom!” Mary and Lee remained inseparable until his death in April of 1995. Mary continued to farm, ranch and run the bull dozing business along with the support of her devoted family and close friends. She married long-time friend Max Cagle in March of 1998, they remained together until his death in December of 2007.
Counted among her most devoted friends during the tragic loss of her second husband was her first husband “Jr” Carson and his wife, Verdie. The three together served their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren well with their mutual respect and deep friendship. They truly were an inspiration to their family. Family celebrations where the family they created didn’t have to choose where they spent their time; whether it was Thanksgiving at “Jr” and Verdie’s house or Christmas at Mary’s they were all together as a family should be.
In her later years Mary might be found at her home in Lamkin reading one of her many, MANY books, on the road traveling to see new places, walking trails, going through caves, or if it was a Sunday morning you would likely find her at The Church in Lamkin.
She was honest, hardworking, loving, said what she meant and meant what she said and was fun-loving all the way to the end of her long life.
She is survived by her sons Bob (Debbie) Carson of Indian Gap, Texas, Dan (Michelle) Carson of Gustine and one daughter Kim (Travis) Meissner of Hamilton, Texas. Two brothers Corky (Joyce) Wilson and John Wilson both of Gustine, Texas. Special friend Bo Pettijohn of Hasse, Texas, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, “cousins,” nieces, nephews, and close friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Leta and Truman Wilson, T.M. Carson “Jr”, Lee Roy Hopper, Jr, Max Cagle, daughter-in-law Charlotte Calvery and brothers Otis and Tom Wilson.
Visitation to be held Tuesday, January 6, 2026 from 1-2pm at The Lamkin Church, funeral at 2pm with graveside following at Indian Gap Cemetery. Arrangements through Riley Funeral Home in Hamilton, Texas.
