Australia, Dusk in Perth
McKinney, TX: Leta Maxine Hopkins passed away February 9, 2026 in McKinney, Texas at age 93. She was born at home in Ridgeway, Mo., on January 7, 1933. She lived most of her life in Harrison County, Missouri before moving to McKinney, Texas in 2015 to be closer to family.
Leta grew up on a farm near Bethany, Mo., with two older sisters, Lois and Alice. She loved being outdoors and helping with chores on the farm.
She married shortly after high school and had two sons, Roger and Larry. She worked at Sears for a time but cared for her children at home after their birth. She worked at a manufacturing plant before marrying Phil Hopkins in February 1976. She lived with Phil on his farm near Eagleville, Mo. Leta enjoyed being a farm wife, working in her garden, mowing a large lawn, and of course fishing when she could.
She loved to sew and quilt and was a meticulous seamstress. She was also an avid reader. Looking for antiques, especially head vases, was a fun outing for her. She had a large collection of Barbie dolls as well.
Family was so important to her. She loved entertaining her grandchildren. Playing board games and taking them fishing brought her great joy. She also enjoyed cooking for them and making her famous “dirt pudding” and “strawberry jam”. She had many great grandchildren who lived in South Carolina and Missouri, and she was always interested in their lives and activities. She loved great grandchildren she hadn’t even met.
She was a lover of sports. She supported her sons in their years of playing football and basketball. She was a big Kansas City Chiefs fan and also backed the Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Mavericks after moving to Texas.
Church was always an important part of her life as well. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in Bethany. She also attended Mount Pleasant Baptist Church during her years living in Eagleville, and took part in services at her independent living facility in McKinney. She was always happy when there was a “good turnout” at church!
She made many friends over the years. Her friends at Country View Lane in McKinney were very special to her. Even though it was a brief stay at Legend Assisted Living, the care takers there loved her. She will be missed by many.
Leta was proceeded in death by her parents Harry and Wanetta Adkins, her sisters Lois (Junior) Green and Alice (Gene) Allen, and her husband, Phil Hopkins.
She leaves behind her two sons, Roger Hendren (Becky), of McKinney, Texas and Larry (Sandee) Hendren, of Gaston, S.C. Her grandchildren were Lulu and Grant Hendren, Danielle Middaugh, and Dan, Dillion and Derrick Hendren, as well as 16 great grandchildren.
A celebration of life will take place at her former residence at Country View Lane Senior Living and a graveside service in Missouri at a later date.
Memorial gifts can be made to the American Kidney Foundation or the Barnabus fund at Trinity Presbyterian church, McKinney, Texas.
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