Celebrating the Life of Leanita Nell Hudspeth Pope

January 3, 1942 – October 2, 2026

If you knew our mom, Nita Pope, also known as “Hoss” (from our dad, “Tiger”) and “Suzie Q” (from her dad), you knew one thing for sure: life was never going to be boring!

Mom was born on January 3, 1942, to Robert Roy Hudspeth and Audra Elizabeth “Mama Jack” Hudspeth. She was a daughter, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a grandmother, a great-grandmother, and a friend. But more than anything, she was a personality all her own. And if you knew her, you know exactly what we mean!

Mom was one of those people who left an impression on everyone she met. She was loved by so many, and it’s easy to understand why. She had a way of making people feel welcome, making them laugh, and making ordinary days a whole lot more interesting. Growing up, our friends and cousins loved coming to our house. And honestly, who could blame them? Mom was fun. She wasn’t the kind of mom who just tolerated a house full of kids. She made it fun to be there, even though we were regularly reminded to “use your same towel” and “keep up with your cup”! Our home was a place where people could laugh, cut up, and make memories.

Now, Mom was pretty easygoing most of the time. It took a lot to get her riled up. But we eventually discovered her weakness: mice! All we had to do was pretend we had a mouse and threaten to throw it on her, and suddenly, we had a whole different woman on our hands! Of course, we thought this was absolutely hilarious. Mom probably had a different opinion of our sense of humor!

But that was part of what made her special. She could take a joke, dish one out, and give as good as she got. Like the time she casually walked by Dad as he was stretched out in his recliner and dropped a snake in his lap. We almost lost Dad that day!

She had a wonderful sense of humor and a collection of country sayings that were uniquely hers. Phrases like “kiss a pig in the butt,” “put that in your pipe and smoke it,” “whoa, Sally!” “You’re as screwed up as Hogan’s goat”, and “go up an elephant’s butt after a load of hay” were just a small part of her everyday vocabulary. And if you ever heard her refer to an infant as a “little no-neck monster,” you knew exactly what she meant! You never quite knew what Mom was going to say next, but you could pretty well count on it being memorable and funny.

Mom had the most beautiful handwriting. Her penmanship was something she took great pride in, and her signature was identical every single time she wrote it. It was so precise and distinctive that there was never any chance we could pass off a signature of our own as hers. Her handwriting was just another thing that was uniquely Mom.

Mom also loved to eat, and we never could figure out how she stayed skinny as a rail! She’d clean her own plate and then start eyeing everyone else’s. Before you knew it, she was helping herself to whatever you had left. But don’t even think about taking something off her plate! That was a whole different story. You might just find yourself on the wrong end of a fork!

And then there was the Idabeth story. If you’re part of this family, you know the one! It was a silly little rhyme that Mom turned into a full-blown theatrical performance. She would build up the suspense before reaching the grand finale: “OH MY GOODNESS! OH MY SOUL! THERE GOES IDABETH DOWN THAT HOLE!” Followed by: “IDABETH? IDABETH? GLUG, GLUG, GLUG!” She could scare the mess out of whoever was listening!

We’ve all tried to tell it, but it’s just not the same. It had to be Mom. Her voice, her expressions, and her timing made all the difference. That’s one of the things we’ll miss most: hearing her tell those stories one more time. They’re the stories we may have heard a hundred times but would give anything to hear again.

Mom loved the outdoors and enjoyed shooting guns, trail riding, camping, and traveling. She had a special love for Texas bluebonnets, so much so that “Texas Bluebonnets” became her handle back in the 70s when everyone had a CB radio. She never needed anything fancy or perfect to have a good time—just a little adventure, good company, and a reason to laugh. She also loved jazz and big band music, whose lively rhythms and character suited her perfectly.

Whether she was enjoying the outdoors, spending time with family, telling stories, playing cards, working puzzles, or listening to music, Mom found joy in the simple things and in the people she loved. Her life was full of the laughter, adventure, and special moments that make life rich.

Mom was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Roy and Audra Elizabeth Taylor Hudspeth; brothers Roy James Hudspeth and Douglas DuWayne “Pete” Hudspeth; and twin sons Thomas Anthony and Timothy Allen Pope.

Mom leaves behind three daughters: Kimberly Chapman and husband Kevin; Deborah Pope; and Tracy McAnally.

She also leaves behind five grandchildren: Colton Pope and wife Miranda; Erica Britt and husband Alex; Falyn Carpenter and husband Chris; Brooke McAnally; and Gage McAnally.

And then there are her nine great-grandchildren: Alyssa, Chase, Waylon, Emberly, Clarissa, Austen, Truitt, Briar, and Tucker.

Nine great-grandchildren! That’s a whole lot of little lives carrying a piece of her forward. Each generation gets to inherit something from her: a story, a saying, a sense of humor, a memory, or perhaps even a little of that stubborn country spirit.

Mom was baptized in the Methodist faith and wholeheartedly believed in Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. Her faith was an important part of who she was, and we find comfort in the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ and the promise that we will see her again.

Mom, we love you. We will continue to share your legacy of laughter and love by telling your stories for generations to come.

Details regarding a Celebration of Life will be shared once arrangements have been finalized.