Charlotte Grace Loper Obituary
Charlotte Grace Loper of Hewitt and a long-time resident of Baird passed away Sunday, January 5, 2025, at the age of 98.
Charlotte was born December 8, 1926 in Scranton to John Hammond and Ila Frances Ray Shrader. She attended school in Scranton where her father was a teacher. She later attended business school in Abilene, Texas. She worked at the Baird Bank and later at McKesson and Robbins in Abilene for 22 years as a bookkeeper. She was married for a short time to George Ricks, and to Blanton Freeland for 22 years. She met the love of her life, Aubrey Neil Loper. Charlotte and they were married January 22, 1977. Charlotte and Aubrey were together 38 years before his passing in 2015. Her family feels that Aubrey was sent straight from Heaven to bring her and her family joy and love that will always be treasured by all.
Charlotte and Aubrey traveled the world and still had time for family members, community service, and always had a casserole waiting in the freezer. Charlotte sang in the First Baptist Church choir for many years. She had a beautiful alto voice. She made sure that each of her children were in church every time the church door was open. This paid off, because she instilled the Love of Christ in them all. Charlotte took in Aubrey's children and grandchildren as her own as well as Aubrey doing the same with her family.
Charlotte conquered many trials being the mother of five including one child (Jackie Boy) lost at childbirth and one daughter with permanent head injury at 4 yrs old. This was hard for Charlotte, but she made every effort to be there for Vicki Jo and bring her home for visits. She was at every grandchild's graduation. She loved Baptist hymns and "old" country music. She could two-step and taught Roger and the grandsons how to play baseball. She even played adult softball in Baird during the sixties, and bowled regularly with Aubrey and friends.
She loved anything "Pecans", homemade peach ice cream, Coors Light, and Margaritas and playing softball out at Scranton at family reunions. In earlier years, she was an artist and left behind some of her beautiful paintings. Charlotte loved parasailing and joined a family group to Cancun in her eighties and convinced Aubrey (Pops) to do it with her, getting pictures of them kissing as they flew through the air. She also went to visit daughter Kathy and son-in-law, Paul in Africa.
Charlotte was classy! Always dressed to a tee, matching hats, shoes, jewelry. But at the same time, very modest. She was not a morning person and was almost always late for work and church, but that's ok. She made it!
Charlotte was preceded in death by her parents; siblings Alma Frances, Mary Ruth, Jack, John and Hugh; son Jackie Boy and daughter Glenda Joy; stepsons Neal Loper and Larry Betcher.; step granddaughter Tonya Betcher; mother-in-law Florence Loper; brothers-in-law Jerry, Lee and Stanley Loper; sisters-in-law Nell, Lee (Grace), Madge and Cubelle; Jack and Mickey Freeland, Estelle Freeland and Frank Freeland.
Charlotte is survived by daughter Kathy Ricks (Paul Savage), son Roger Freeland (and Brenda), daughter Vicki Jo Freeland, daughter Suzette Freeland Lockwood (Richard) and step daughter Jerry Paustian (David); granddaughters Joy Donn Davis, Drew Freeland (Katy), Bryan Freeland, Charlotte Savage Morris (Kenny), John Paul Savage (Kelly), Wendy Lockwood, Russell Lockwood and Austin Lockwood; step grands John, Adam and Jimmy Paustian (and families); great grands Nycole, Jason (Joy), Darian, Jordan, Ysabella (Russell) and Timothy (Wendy), Kayden, Noah (John Paul); sisters-in-law Joanie Shrader and Pat Freeland and many step grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be 4:00 to 6:00 PM Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at Parker-Jacobs Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be 1:00 PM Wednesday, January 8, 2025, at First Baptist Church, 240 Race Street in Baird, with Paul Savage officiating. She will be laid to rest next to Aubrey in a private family burial at Scranton Cemetery.
Sincere thanks for love and kindness shown to Charlotte and her family by Bluebonnett Hospice, Residency at Ridgewood and caregivers at Living Springs.
The family suggests memorials to the Volunteer Program at the Abilene State Supported Living Center.
