December 15, 1935 — February 12, 2024
Sophie Ursula Snell Packard was born on December 15, 1935 in Anacoco, LA to Willie Cranford “W. C.” Snell and Lorea Dixon Snell. She passed away peacefully at her home with family and friends at her bedside on February 12, 2024 in Natchitoches, LA.
A native of Anacoco, LA, Sophie graduated from Anacoco High School and entered Northwestern State University in 1953, pursuing a degree in elementary education. While at the Baptist Student Union, she met Hyland, the love of her life, in 1954. They were married the next year. They welcomed their daughter, Michelle in 1955 and son, Mike in 1963. In 1967 the Packard family moved from Melville, LA to Natchitoches, where they attended First Baptist Church for many years. Sophie sang in the church choir and volunteered with the nursery.
After retirement from her teaching career in 1995, she and Hyland supervised the Lov’n Care Mission in Natchitoches, providing emergency food and clothing for those in need.
Sophie was very active in volunteer work with the Lion’s Club and Eastern Star. She was a dedicated volunteer who touched the lives of many. In 2012, she was recognized as a Natchitoches Treasure.
Her passion was raising and spending time with her family, teaching her school students, and playing piano in church for many years.
She goes on to join her husband, Hyland in Heaven. She is survived by her children, Michelle Chopin and husband, Ed Chopin of Greenwood, LA and Mike Packard and wife Kristen Keller Packard of Fort Mill, SC; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her brother, David Snell of Graham, TX; her sisters, Jan Robison of Dallas, TX, and Sue Creighton of Hickory, NC.
She proclaimed at Hyland’s funeral in February of 2021, “The love of my life went to be with the love of his life for all eternity. We will be together again one day in our eternal home.”
A memorial service will be held at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Lion’s Club in Sophie’s honor.