Elizabeth Joyce Hopper

Elizabeth Joyce Hopper, beloved wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother and a friend to everyone, passed away peacefully and naturally at home on February 11, 2026. She was born April 22, 1938, in Grayson County, Kentucky, to George Allen and Bertha Belle Clemons Smith. She was the eleventh of twelve children and the last living sibling. She was 87 years, 9 months and 21 days young. She was a faithful member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Mt. Washington, Kentucky. She graduated from St. Paul Catholic High School in May 1956, the only catholic high school in Grayson County at that time. She was a devout catholic, loved her family dearly, lived life with a joyous heart and never wasted one minute. She was blessed with many gifts. She was born a teacher; she taught her children by the example of how she lived. She raised a garden and canned good healthy food to feed her family. She was a visionary; she could see ways to solve problems when no one else could. She was creative; she had a beautiful gift as a seamstress. She had sewn all of life, from clothing for her children to Barbie doll clothes, high school cheerleading outfits, bridesmaid gowns and two beautiful wedding gowns for her daughters. This gift flowed into a beautiful style of decorating her home. She enjoyed meeting neighbors and making new friends on Saturday mornings while searching out great treasures at yard sales. She also had a fun competitive side - she loved playing spinners and card games with the family. She played to win and was known to growl at you if you blocked her next play. But when the game was over, it was all smiles, hugs and love regardless of who won. She loved family holidays and any day to gather everyone together. She knew style and how to dress fashionably. Ask any of her grandchildren, and you will probably hear from each one that she was always up for an adventure. No matter what they wanted to do, where they wanted to go, or what silly game they wanted to play, her answer was always Yes, I will do that, go there or play that game with you. She loved to travel; she visited all 50 states and eleven different countries, as well as traveling to every family function no matter the location. She loved the outdoors, nature, gardening, hikes in the woods and Sunday afternoon walks. Being by her side was a breath of fresh air. She was courageous in how she approached and lived life. She was accepting of others and supportive of all family members. She embraced differences with respect and without judgement. Her personal growth encouraged a more peaceful, less judgmental and emotionally balanced life. She is preceded in death, by one child, Marvin Gene Grant, her parents, George Allen and Bertha Belle Smith and eleven siblings: Mary Ruby Higdon, Clifford Anthony Smith, Delbert Augustine Smith, William Cletus Smith, Carlos Leo Smith, Edsel James Smith, George Allen Smith, Jr., Anna Catherine Skaggs Kelty, Rosemary Dawood, Joseph Ray Smith, and Ambrose Eugene Smith. She is survived by her husband, Andrew Junior Hopper, of 47 years; five children: Robert Wane Grant, Betty Gisele Brady (Tim), Yetta Carol Blair (Gayle) Stephen Andrew Hopper (Melissa) and Mark Anthony Hopper; nine grandchildren: Joshua Ezekiel Dye (Jenna), Robert Allen Blair (Ellie), Jacob Maurice Dye (Heather), Alexandra Grant Teets (Paul), Victoria Madison McDaniel (Brian), Rebecca Paige Hopper, Devin Shelby Brady (Madison), Haley Brianna Brady, Jamie Madison Foster (Gavin); twelve great grandchildren, Jordan, Colton, Penelope, Callaway, Aria, Avarie, Chloe, Laurel, Carter, Piper, Lily, Weston, two baby boys on the way; and one great great grandchild, Atlas. Funeral service will be conducted at 12 pm on Monday February 23, 2026, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Mt. Washington, Ky. With burial in Kentucky Veteran Cemetery Central, Radcliff, Ky. Visitation in the chapel of Schoppenhorst, Underwood and Brooks Funeral Home (123 Winning Colors Circle in Mt.Washington) . Friends may pay their respects on Sunday from 1 pm until 8 pm and on Monday from 10 am until time of service at church.