Lisa LuAnn (Hopkins) Holifield

Lisa LuAnn (Hopkins) Holifield passed away peacefully Thursday, November 10, 2022, in Midland, Texas.

Lisa hit the floor running as the first born child of Dugan and Linda Hopkins, arriving September 17, 1958 in Jena, Louisiana. Lisa brought immense love and happiness to her parents with whom she shared a vast love and respect. Lisa and her siblings also shared a steadfast love and true friendship. Her sister, Jane, was born just 11 months after her. The sisters were thick as thieves and even lived across the street from one another as adults – constantly leaving a trail in the pavement between their two homes. They were truly each other’s best friend. Lisa’s baby brother, Hopper, arrived two years later, with whom she and Jane were both fiercely protective. All three siblings remained close their entire lives. The endless love of their parents emulated down through the three which was evident in how they raised their own families – all a close family unit to this day.

Lisa’s childhood began in Louisiana, where she lived for twelve years, before a job change led her family to Crane, Texas. They moved in across the street from The Holifield Family on McElroy St.  Little did she know, that little boy across the street would later become the love of her life. Throughout her teenage years, Lisa enjoyed playing volleyball and socializing with her friends. She was voted “cutest” by her peers and genuinely enjoyed her friendships – most of which were spent together riding up and down Main Street.

Steve and Lisa became high school sweethearts after their first date on November 7, 1975. The two wrote letters to one another through college and their parents would tell tales about how expensive their phone bills were while the two were dating. They were married January 15, 1983 in Crane, Texas.

Lisa’s most important role to date was the one of “Mom” and “Sisa.” Lisa became a mother on February 7, 1985, when she and Steve welcomed their first child, Landry Allison to the world. Their second daughter, Lindsay JoNell quickly followed in May 1987. In June 1992, Steve and Lisa got the greatest surprise blessing when twins Laramie Jane and Lemuel Jacob arrived. Lisa’s children were the absolute joy of her life. Leading her children to Jesus was her most important tribute to her children. She was so proud of each and every one of them. Lisa was always ever present and a constant in her children’s lives. Between Lisa and Steve, their kids never went without. Their teamwork as a couple allowed their children every opportunity and adventure they could wish for. She didn’t miss a single moment pertaining to her children and proudly led the charge to all that filled their hearts. Lisa was the ultimate sports Mom. She would take her kids to and from sporting and school events all across the country. She never missed a kids’ game, event, or anything in which her kids were involved. She was there every step of the way as they grew into adults and never wavered in being a simple phone call away – though she always showed up long before you even had to dial her number. Lisa was the perfect picture of a Godly woman as she devoted her life to being a loving and supportive wife and mother. She was absolutely the anchor in her family.

Steve and Lisa greatly enjoyed time spent at their ranch in Menard, Texas. Once they became “empty-nesters,” they loved to pop over to the ranch as just the two of them, spending quality time together talking about life. This time together was a blessing for both. Lisa never stopped wearing her wedding ring after Steve’s unexpected death on May 21, 2013. The two would have celebrated 40 years of marriage this January.

Lisa was an avid reader. It was not unheard of for her to read 10+ books in a week. She loved to absorb the knowledge and escape into stories. She could be found most often on her back porch. Lisa was famous for her “back porch sessions.” These sessions could last for hours. Two hours would easily be considered a “quick visit.” Virtually every obstacle that arose could be solved right there on her back porch. People often say, “It takes a village” to get through life. Lisa alone could have been your entire village. She was absolutely tenacious. She was headstrong and ferociously loyal and always put others needs before her own. She was loving, kind, mothered everyone, and took all under her wing as her own. Her door was always open. While she technically only had four children, she really considered so many more her own. She was “Mama Holi” to more people than we can count, and she forever had an open-door policy to all. Her home was one where everyone walked on in – family or friend – day or night. To be loved by Lisa was to be loved lifelong.

While life was never the same after unexpectedly losing the love of her life, she found that spark and engulfing joy again after becoming a grandmother. November 3, 2013 coined her promotion to grandmother aka “Sisa,” and she was there for every moment of it. She dropped everything to be by Lindsay’s side before and after the birth of Dylan Arbor Venerable in North Carolina. Dylan’s first two weeks of sleep were spent in her Sisa’s arms. Twins Vayda JoNell and Wyatt Ames joined the circus in October 2015. Once again, Sisa was there for her daughter and her grand-babies for every step of the way – including moving them all back to Texas. Sisa’s youngest grandchild, “her darlin,” Murphy Michael arrived in April 2018 and Sisa was there as always. Ever present, ever faithful, ever doting was Sisa to her grand-babies. They ran to her with exhilaration every time they saw her whether it had been a few days or a few minutes. They were always met with the most dramatic arms wide-open hug in existence and matching jubilee. She made them feel like the most special people in the entire world – which wasn’t difficult for her, because to her, that was the most absolute truth.

In the last few years, Lisa traveled to many places alongside her Mother, sister, children, and grandchildren. Most recently, Lisa, her children and grandchildren traveled to the beach in North Carolina for a week-long vacation of fun. She chased her grandchildren along the beach and watched dolphins pass on the shoreline. The entire family had such a wonderful time together.

She is our beloved Mom and Sisa who will live forever in our hearts.

Lisa is preceded in death by the love of her life, husband, Steve Lemuel Holifield, Jr. of Midland; father, Carlton Douglas “Dugan” Hopkins of Midland, brother, Douglas Nelson “Hopper” Hopkins; great niece, Hunter Ann Smith of Midland; great nephew, Gunner Craig Smith of Powell, TN; mother-in-law, Sandra Nell Holifield of Midland; father-in-law, Steve Lemuel Holifield of Midland; brother-in-law, James Jeffrey Holifield of Midland.

Lisa is survived by her four children, daughters, Landry Allison Holifield of Midland, Lindsay JoNell Venerable and husband, Travis Michael Venerable of Midland, Laramie Jane Holifield and fiancé, Brett Vaughn Harryman of Sunnyvale, TX; son, Lemuel Jacob “Jake” Holifield of Midland; grandchildren, Dylan Arbor Venerable, Vayda JoNell Venerable, Wyatt Ames Venerable and Murphy Michael Venerable all of Midland; mother, Linda Louise Hopkins of Midland; sister, Linda Jane Smith and husband, Steven Craig Smith of Midland; nephews, Brandon Craig Smith and wife, Brittany of Powell, TN, Steven Cole Smith and wife, Yolanda of Midland, Nicholas Cade Smith of Midland, Tyler Shane Smith and wife, Emylee of Midland; sister-in-law Carrie Lynn Hopkins Viaille of Keller; nephew, Samuel Judson Hopkins of Dallas; niece, Sarah Elizabeth Hopkins of Lubbock; and numerous great nieces, great nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 17th from 5:00-7:00pm at “The Branch” at Nalley-Pickle & Welch in Midland. Her celebration of life will be held Friday at 2:00pm at Stonegate Fellowship Church. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. The family asks that any donation made in her name be directed to the All Heart Gunner Foundation, a foundation very near to her heart, in honor of her great nephew, Gunner. www.allheartgunner.com

Pallbearers will include: Lemuel Jacob “Jake” Holifield, Travis Michael Venerable, Brett Vaughn Harryman, Brandon Craig Smith, Steven Cole Smith, Nicholas Cade Smith, Tyler Shane Smith, and Samuel Judson Hopkins.

Honorary pallbearers will be her grandsons: Wyatt Ames Venerable and Murphy Michael Venerable.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com

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