Mary M. Chopelas

Mary M. Chopelas, passed away Friday, July 24, 2020 in Kyle, Texas.  She was born on December 30, 1921, in Ivanhoe, Texas to Manley and Arra Elizabeth Gray, and to their union thirteen children were born, twelve lived to adulthood.

Mary moved to Mathis in 1937, where she worked at her sister and brother's G & H Cafe, and finished high school. That same year she met, local Mathis resident, John Chopelas and  they later married on June 16, 1940.  The following year John joined the US Marine Corps and while he was over seas Mary worked at Consolidated Air Craft in San Diego, California on the PBYC Planes bucking rivets (Rosie the Rivetor).

After the war, Mary and John returned to Mathis where they worked and raised two children. Mary loved to share her faith and talk about Jesus to family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her husband, John Chopelas, and other siblings. Mary is survived by her children, George (Genie) Chopelas of Alpine, Texas, and Dana (Jerry) Clendening of Austin, Texas; five grandchildren, Chris Chopelas of Alpine, Texas, Adriane (Cody) Brown of Gillet, Texas, Jason Chopelas of Alpine, Texas, Heather (Kelly) Bradley of Austin, Texas, and Holly (Chris) Whitehurst of Austin, Texas and eleven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters, Avis Ruth Sommers of Karnes CIty, Texas and Frances Marie Owen of Oklahoma City, OKlahoma, plus numerous nieces and nephews who she loved and adored.

A special thank you to Genie Chopelas and Joan Franks for loving mother as your own. She thought of you both as daughters.

A private Graveside Service will be held at Tom Mathis Cemetery.

In Lieu of flowers consider contributions to First Baptist Church in Mathis or any charity of your choice.