Mary Ann Searles Hoppe, 83, of Rogers, Arkansas, slipped quietly from the presence of her loving family to the presence of her Lord on May 28, 2018. She was born November 4, 1934 in Tulsa, OK to Isaac and Anna Mae Howard Searles. She graduated from Midland (TX) High School, BA in Speech Pathology from the University of Oklahoma and M.Ed in Special Education from Texas Tech University.
She met the love of her life, Herman Hoppe, at the Rogers Riding Club when she was 15. They married on August 18, 1956. She practiced as a speech pathologist for 34 years in all the schools in Odessa, TX. After retirement, “Hoppe” and Mary Ann traveled in their motorhome to all 50 states and the Canadian provinces.
She was a longtime member and leader of the Girl Scouts. She taught Sunday school and VBS at Christ Lutheran and was director of Kindred Kare (elder care) at Risen Lord Lutheran in Odessa. After retirement to Rogers, she was active at Peace Lutheran and First United Methodist Church. She was trained as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship and as a Stephen Minister. Mary Ann enjoyed flower gardening and was an avid genealogist. In July 2017, she decided to go on Hospice due to an antibiotic resistant lung infection and promptly hosted multiple “going-away” parties. She believed in God first, family second. She knew she was going to see Jesus and Hoppe.
She is survived by her daughters, Debra (Michael) Niemann of Lake Jackson, TX and Diane Puckett, grandchildren Sally and Katie Puckett of Rogers, AR and Max Niemann of Lake Jackson, TX; great-grandson Ezekiel of Rogers, AR. She is preceded in death by her husband Herman Loyd Hoppe and her parents.
The family would like thank Mandi, Shannon, and the staff of Circle of Life Hospice; Itzel of HHMMF; dear friends Kathy and Linda; and FUMC family and staff. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 31, 2018 at 10:00 AM at First United Methodist of Rogers with the Celebration of Life at 11:00 AM. Interment will be at the Rogers City Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to FUMC Rogers. Please join in remembering Mary Ann by visiting the memorial at www.RollinsFuneral.com.
