Linda Eileen Hopper

Linda Eileen (Shirley) Hopper was born on March 15, 1950, in Oklahoma City to Jack Shirley and Enid Mahaffey Shirley. She passed away to join her father and mother in heaven on August 9, 2018, at the age of 68. She lost her father when she was 5 and she and her 3 siblings were raised by their mother. She grew up in Norman, OK, attended Jackson Elementary School and graduated from Norman High School in 1968. Linda attended the University of Oklahoma, living at home and working in the OU bookstore the whole time. She graduated with a BS in Elementary Education in 1972. After doing her student teaching at Wilson Elementary, her principal endorsed her highly for full-time employment in Norman Public Schools. At her interview the personnel director asked her if she wanted a job in NPS. When she answered “Yes”, he handed her application back to her and replied, “Then, you’re hired.” She taught for the next 34 years: 17 at Wilson Elementary and 17 years at Washington Elementary. She retired in 2008.

Linda and her husband, David, met in the Single Adult Department at Norman’s First Baptist Church, where she had grown up----active in the Youth Group, Youth Choir, GA’s, and Sunday School. They were married on March 5, 1977 at her home church.

Linda bravely fought breast cancer for 7 ½ years. She was David’s helpmeet and life companion for 41 years. She helped him raise his daughter from a previous marriage, Sarah. Together they had 2 daughters: Kimberly Dawn Hopper and Jennifer Suzanne Hopper Wright.

Linda was special, not only to her family, but to a whole host of close friends. She was a respected and dedicated elementary school teacher. She was faithful in her church and raised her daughters in the nurture of the church and to love God’s Word.

She is survived by her husband, David Hopper, of Norman, and her daughter, Sarah Austin (Rich) of Austin, TX, and her children: Madison (who begins OU as a freshman this fall), Taylor, Sheridan, and Harrison. Two daughters in Norman: Kimberly Hopper and Jennifer Hopper Wright (Josh). Jennifer’s two children, who were Linda’s best medicine as she fought Stage 4 Metastatic Breast cancer for 7 ½ years, Josie Wright and Jack Wright. She is also survived her sisters and brother: Tricia Loving (Mike) of Lubbock, TX; Mike Shirley (Debbie) of Oklahoma City; and Susan Scott (Les) of Dallas, TX, and many nephews and nieces.

Linda was a special woman, and her loss is deeply felt by her family. But, she is now free from pain and in the arms of her loving God.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Private Inurnment Services will be held at Sunset Memorial Park. Celebration of Life Services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, August 17th, First Baptist Church, 211 W. Comanche St., Norman.