Lela Hopson

1925 - 2012

Lela Gomes Hopson

SALISBURY — Lela Gomes Hopson died Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, at Coastal Hospice at the Lake in Salisbury at the age of 86. Lela was preceded in death by her loving husband, Wayne William Hopson, to whom she was happily married for 67 years.

Lela was born on Sept. 6, 1925, in Cottage Grove, Ore., to the late Joseph and Claudia Gomes, who came to the United States from Azares, Portugal. Growing up, Lela was an active athlete, participating in baseball and basketball. During the summers, Lela and her brothers and sister worked hard picking beans, prunes and nuts. After graduating from high school, she worked as both an interpreter and receptionist at the Eugene Hospital and Clinic. In 1945, she married Wayne Hopson and the two traveled throughout the country making new friends wherever they went. Throughout these travels, Wayne and Lela lovingly raised their two sons, whom Lela adored with unconditional love.

As a devoted Catholic, Lela was faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ and regularly attended Mass at St. Francis de Sales Parish in Salisbury. After her sons were raised, married and moved to raise their own families, Lela devoted herself to raising animals of every kind, including chickens, pigs, turkeys and sheep on a small hobby farm called Chicken Branch in Rehobeth. She held a special place in her heart for animals that were sick and neglected, and would spend much effort bringing them back to full health with her special care. Lela will always be remembered as the matriarch of the family, often worrying more about the ones she loved than herself. She was especially fond of her small companion dogs, and all four including Boo, Daisy, Samson and Lila were treated like children in the family. Lela enjoyed traveling the country and the world with her beloved husband, cooking food, but above all she treasured time with her family.

Lela is survived by her sisters-in-law, Doris McMillian of Anderson, Calif., Donna Whidden of Los Angeles and Francis Gomes of Eugene, Ore.; brother-in-law, Norm Waters of San Diego; two sons, Dennis Hopson and his wife, Kathy, and Dr. Alan Hopson and his wife, Dr. Natalie, all of Salisbury; four grandchildren, Daniel Hopson and his wife, Carrie, of Pensacola, Fla., Jessica Eisemann and her husband, Ryan, of Salisbury, Dr. Matthew Hopson and his wife, Kelle, of Williamsburg, Va., and Mark Hopson, Esq., of Alexandria, Va.; and five great-grandchildren, Spencer and Alyson Eisemann, Ellie and Pierce Hopson, and the newly born, Taylor Hopson.

Lela was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Amelia Waters, and her three brothers, Joseph, George, and Carl Gomes.

A private family gathering was held to celebrate Lela's life on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2012. The family extends their sincere appreciation to all the doctors, nurses, staff and friends at Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Johns Hopkins, The Village at Harbor Pointe and Coastal Hospice at the Lake for their exceptional care and concern during Lela's illness.

Donations may be made in her memory to Coastal Hospice at the Lake, PO Box 1733, Salisbury, Md. 21802.

Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home PA at 501 Snow Hill Road in Salisbury. Please visit www.hollowayfh.com to express condolences to the family.