Kateva Lafield

Kateva Cope Lafield, 96, was born December 8, 1929, in Fort Worth, Texas, and passed away peacefully on September 14, 2026, while residing at the Army Residence Community in San Antonio, Texas, where she lived for over 30 years. Born Ruth Kateva White, subsequently known as Kateva Hutchinson and Kateva Cope. Kateva’s unique name was a combination of her 2 aunts, Kate and Eva.

Kateva grew up as the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ellison White, living on Rogers Road in Fort Worth and attended Pascal High school (all 4 of her children attended Arlington Heights).She was a proud University of Texas alumna and member of Zeta Tau Alpha along with her daughter and several granddaughters, Kateva loved everything Texas, especially Longhorn football. She died with a smile on her face 2 days after the Horns beat Ohio State and gained a number 1 ranking. She was an accomplished bridge player and reminded us many times that she would have played on the pro circuit if she hadn’t had to raise 4 kids. She was a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), and an avid reader.

Intelligent, strong-willed, and never shy about expressing her opinions, Kateva was a woman who knew her own mind. She loved traveling, treasured her many friendships, and enjoyed spending time at the beach. After all the kids left home she became a Ford Mustang enthusiast and owned numerous models. She also loved the sunshine and continued sunbathing daily well into her 90s.

Kateva was happily married to three wonderful military men, all of whom preceded her in death. Skeet Hutchinson (died 1953), Richard Cope (died 2003), and Bill Lafield (died 2012). The first two were fellow Longhorns, while her third husband was a Texas A&M Aggie—a rivalry she eventually learned to embrace with good humor.

The feisty matriarch of her family, Kateva leaves behind four children, (Whit, Kit, Rich and Chrissy), nine grandchildren, and fourteen great-grandchildren. Her independent spirit, love of family, and enthusiasm for life will be remembered for generations.

At 96 she had lost all of her old friends. She was able to enjoy life up until near the end when with her mobility failing she was so looking forward to joining her 3 husbands, who she often dreamed were all waiting for her in heaven.

Hook ’em Horns!