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Silo, Oklahoma- Karon Sue "Chickie" Hopkins- Schmitz, 83, went home to Heaven on Wednesday, September 10th, 2025. She was born on Friday, September 26, 1941, in Caney, Oklahoma, at home to Lorene and Abel Hopkins. Granny was a proud member of the Choctaw Nation and the Silo Baptist Church.
Growing up, she was best known as "Chickie" to her 10 brothers and sisters. They would often spend many summers working together in the cotton fields. She would often talk about the hard times they faced growing up, but always felt like each Christmas or family gathering was something special for each child in her family. Whether she was dressing up as the Easter Bunny or making a new pie, granny's house always felt like the holidays even when it was not.
She would cook like it was Thanksgiving even if it was not. Karon said she first saw Harvey Schmitz one afternoon while she was working in a field and he drove by in a green car. He caught her attention and her heart that afternoon. They were later married in Armstrong, Oklahoma, on New Year's Day in 1959. Together they proudly raised Larry Schmitz, Todd Schmitz and Shannon Hayes in Silo, Oklahoma. They were proud grandparents to Krissy Polk, Betsy Schmitz, Skiler Schmitz, Katie Green, Shawn Schmitz, Chase Hayes, Peyton Hayes and Meaghan Hayes. Great Grandchildren, Rayvon Polk, Rhyon Polk, Jayden Schmitz, McKinley Green and Aubry Green. Great-Great Grandchildren, Venus Ledesma, Alastor Ledesma, and Crawford Schmitz. Karon and Harvey built their house together, but she made sure it was always filled with lots of love and laughs.
Karon left high school early to become a wife and mother, however she was still very passionate about education and learning. She returned back to school to earn her GED and would later attend Murray State College, where she graduated with a degree in child development. She worked for Silo School for 10 years as a bus driver and cafeteria cook. She began working for Choctaw Nation as a switchboard operator and later became the director of the child development program. She was employed by the Choctaw Nation for 35 years before she retired.
Karon loved her family and loved spending time with her grandkids on the weekends. She would often make forts in the living room and homemade playdough. She loved cooking, sewing, and would often craft with her mama and sisters. She also loved to play dominos and Skip Bo for hours. She was notorious for passing cards under the table. She had the most wonderful sense of humor and she was full of love. She was greatly loved and will be dearly missed by her family.
Karon is preceded in death by her husband, Harvey Schmitz; parents, Lorene and Abel Hopkins; brothers, Teddy Hopkins and Donald Hopkins; sisters, Charlotta Sheffield and Sheila Layman.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Friday, September 12th, at the Silo Baptist Church with Bro. Ray Earley officiating. Interment services will immediately follow at Restland Cemetery in Silo with Larry Schmitz, Skiler Schmitz, Shawn Schmitz, Chase Hayes, Peyton Hayes, Aubry Green, and Rhyon Polk serving as pallbearers.
Karon's family will receive and greet friends on Thursday evening, September 11th, from 6-8 PM at Brown's Funeral Home in Durant.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com.
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