Leola Hopgood

Leola Hopgood, 99, of Cape Girardeau died Tuesday, July 2, 2002, at the Lutheran Home.

She was born Sept. 22, 1902, at East Prairie, Mo., daughter of William Cullen and Emma Bertha Raidt Bryant. She and Marshall Hopgood were married Aug. 15, 1951, in Arkansas.

Hopgood was a graduate of Southeast Missouri State University. She taught in rural schools in New Madrid and Mississippi counties, including 14 years at Thirty-Four Corners. She was an elementary teacher at East Prairie Schools from 1942 until retiring in 1972.

She was a member of First Christian Church in East Prairie, Eastern Star Chapter 137 in Sikeston, Mo., and Southeast Missouri Retired Teachers Association.

Survivors include two brothers, Billy Downs of Walls, Miss., Tommy Downs of Danuba, Calif.; and a sister, Sarah Downs Proffer of Sikeston.

She was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers, and a sister.

Friends may call at First Christian Church in East Prairie after 10 a.m. Saturday.

Graveside service will be at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Dogwood Cemetery. The Rev. Fred Girdwood will officiate.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.