Marianne (Bevan) Hopper

Marianne Bevan Hopper passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, September 11, 2023. She was a native of Waynesboro, Burke County, Georgia. She was born March 15, 1935, and was the oldest daughter of Frederick E. Bevan and Francis M. Bevan.

Ms. Hopper graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1953. She married Billy Hopper on June 17, 1958, and for 63 years, they rarely left each other’s side. The two moved to Arlington, Virginia where he served his military reserve commitment at the Pentagon. The next year they would return to their hometown of Waynesboro, Georgia and begin their family. She held several jobs over her lifetime, but most of her career was spent at the Waynesboro Housing Authority, retiring as the executive director. Even with a career, there were very few nights that she did not prepare a home cooked supper for her family.

She had a unique upbringing as her father was a very successful birddog trainer. In most Summers of her youth, her parents would load up dogs, kids and workers and begin the almost week-long trek to Canada where her father would train championship dogs away from the heat and snakes of her native Burke County. Marianne would begin the school year on the plains of Canada, where she would ride her horse to the one-room schoolhouse.

All that knew her, knew how proud she was of her children and grandchildren. She spent countless hours at sporting events and activities and was quick to tell friends about the exploits of her family. However, the thing she enjoyed the most about these adventures was taking them with the love of her life, Billy. They were the model of a loyal marriage. Rarely was a cross word ever exchanged between the two. In their later years, you could find them in their den, sitting beside each other, Billy watching the Atlanta Braves or Georgia Bulldawgs and Marianne taking cat naps but never admitting it. They are reunited in Heaven!

Marianne was preceded in death by her husband, Claude William (Billy) Hopper, Jr., her son, Claude William (Bill) Hopper, III, and her siblings, Frederick E. Bevan, Jr. and Constance B. Rhodes. She is survived by her two children and their spouses, Nell Hopper Dixon (Herbie) and John Frederick “Rick” Hopper (Lisa); daughter-in-law, Donna Harvey Hopper; grandchildren, Bevan Hopper, McGee Hopper Berding (Sam), Whitney Dixon Zeagler (Worth), Will Dixon (Brooke), Abby Scott Griffin (Justin), Braxton Hopper, Carson Hopper, Avery Chance, and Emme Chance; and great-granddaughter, Landie Cate Dixon. She is further survived by her brother, Frank Bevan (Ann) and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends and family at the fellowship hall of First Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 16. A celebration of life will follow at 11 a.m. at Burke Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The First Presbyterian Church of Waynesboro, 810 Myrick Street, Waynesboro, Georgia 30830 or a charity of your choice.

Burke Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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