Mrs. Iva Nell Soape

September 14, 1935 - July 6, 2018

Funeral services for Iva Nell Ritter Soape, 82, of Carthage, Texas will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, July 9, 2018, at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Carthage with Reverend Rick Linebarger and Reverend Justin King officiating. Burial will follow in Antioch Cemetery under the direction of Hawthorn Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m., at Hawthorn Funeral Home, Sunday, July 8, 2018. Iva Nell peacefully passed away Friday, July 6, 2018, at her home. Iva Nell Ritter Soape was born September 14, 1935, in Buncombe, Panola County, Texas. She was one of four children born to Henry Jobe Ritter and Gladys O’Neal Hayes Ritter. Iva Nell graduated from Carthage High School in 1953 and married her soulmate, G. Dean Soape, on May 27, 1953. After their marriage, Dean and Iva Nell moved to Houston where they began their journey of 64 years together. Iva Nell devoted her life to being a wife, mother, grandmother and working by her husband’s side when he opened his own law practice in 1960. She was a past Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star #747 and Deputy Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Texas. Iva Nell was a devout member of Mt. Calvary Baptist Church where she served as the church secretary and taught Sunday school. Iva Nell is survived by her children, Jerry Soape and fiancée Susie Parker, Jan Soape Wills and Judi Soape Henigan and husband Keith; grandchildren, Jeremy Henigan and wife Hannah, Ricky Joe Wills and wife Christina, Jessi Soape Lee and husband Coby and Trey Soape. Great-grandchildren, Riley Jo Wills, Ryder Wyatt Wills, Stella Grace Lee, Landon Lane LaGrone and Kali Rayne Fulsom; brothers, Wayne Ritter and wife Linda, RH Ritter and wife Jolee; sister, Glenda Edge and husband Ralph; sisters-in-law, Billie Jean Soape and Kathryn McKellar and brother-in-law, Mac McKellar. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, G. Dean Soape; granddaughter, Deana Henigan; mother and father-in-law, Herman F. and Hazel Soape; brother-in-law, Herman E. Soape and special family members, Debbie Soape White and Ashley Smith. Serving as pallbearers are Grant Soape, David Soape, Monty McKellar, Kirk Edge, Chad Edge, Jim Leavens and Jarrett Fields. Honorary pallbearers are Mac McKellar, Kie Foley, Ralph Edge, Rex Lee Graves, Karl Oney, Paul Ritter, Truman Shirey and Waymon E. Blair. Memorials may be made to Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 1759 Hwy 59 S., Carthage, Texas 75633.