Last Updated on July 23, 2023 by Murray-Weaver Funeral Home
Frances Joann Sopher, 86, of Kokomo, went home to be with the Lord Sunday, July 16, 2023, with her family by herside holding her hands. She was born August 17, 1937, in Kokomo Indiana to Parker and Hazel (Dishon) Gray.
Mom was preceded in death by her beloved husband Richard Lee, her parents, and two brothers, Lloyd, and Leon Gray. She is survived by her children, Gary (Drama) Sopher of Carmel; Donna (Dave) McReynolds of Bunker Hill; Debbie Name of Kokomo; Craig (Mark) Morrow of Franklin, TN; Donald (Angela) Sopher of Kokomo; Ronald Sopher of Clinton, TN; and Janice Sopher of Brownstown, IN. Mom was very devoted to her grandchildren, Jeremy, Alisa, Max, Mariah, Amanda, Terra, Katie, Ashley, Stephanie, Megan, and Andrew. She was the immensely proud great-grandmother of twenty-six children: with one deceased. She also has one brother (Garnet Gray) and one sister (Carolyn VanMeter) who survive.
Mom was a smart and loving woman that was devoted to her family, but her husband was the love of her life. She missed him terribly when he recently passed. Our family takes great comfort in knowing they are once again together enjoying heaven’s reward. Even so, we remember she also took pride as each grandchild and great-grandchild joined our family circle and began to accomplish wonderful things. She was a gentle and amazing encourager to all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She maintained a sense of humor all the way to the end and had her family laughing through tears on the last day of her life. She was involved and deeply loved by all, and the family will always cherish fond memories of the time spent with her.
Mom retired after many years in the housekeeping department at St. Joe’s hospital. Her favorite hobby was enjoying the hunt for a good sale, and she was a professional yard sale shopper. She always delighted in finding treasures for her children, grandchildren, and home. She also possessed an amazing green thumb and raised a large garden every summer, happily providing fresh vegetables for all her family, neighbors, and friends. Flowers were always in bloom on their farm, and Mom and Dad spent many happy hours watching and feeding the birds and wildlife. Mom made sure that birthdays, barbeques, and holiday celebrations were always eagerly looked forward to when the family got together for a joyous and happy time at the farm. Mom: thank you for these wonderful memories, you will be so missed.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Kokomo St. Vincent Ascension Hospital, Doctor Tuchscherer, and her caregivers at Northwoods Village Health Center for the loving care and friendship they provided during her illness.
Memorial services and visitation will be held on July 28, 2023, at the Church of God of the Union Assembly, 538 E. 400 S. (highway 26) in Kokomo. A public visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. at the church with a funeral service at 12:00. Pastor Ronnie Bumgarner will officiate the funeral and burial services. The burial service will be at the Galveston Cemetery immediately following the funeral. Murray Weaver Funeral Home in Galveston is overseeing the arrangements.