Lovey ‘Jane’ Hopkins, active in church
Lovey “Jane” Hopkins, daughter of the late Tom Hopkins and Cordelia Hopkins, was born Oct. 23, 1944, in Princess Anne, Md. She earned her heavenly wings Saturday, Jan. 2, 2021, at Beebe Healthcare in Lewes.
Lovey received her early education at Millsboro 204 and in her later years received her GED.
In her early years, Lovey was a USDA poultry inspector at several poultry plants. Her last assignment before retirement due to her illness was at Townsend Poultry Plant in Millsboro. After retirement, she spent the majority of her time volunteering at several nursing homes throughout Sussex County. She spent her last 10 years working at First State Community Action as a job developer. She loved her job as well as her co-workers. She found great joy in helping individuals find employment. Lovey was known as a very hard worker and always did what she had to do to provide for her children. She never hesitated to help anyone in need. If she could not help, she would make sure she pointed you in the right direction to get the help you needed.
Lovey Hopkins was one of a kind; she was intelligent, loving and straightforward. She loved spending time with her family, and never missed an important event in the lives of her children, grandchildren, family and friends. You could sometimes find her attending three or four events in one day. She often made the statement, “I don’t know how people say they are bored, with all this out here to do.” She always made a way when it came to supporting her family and friends.
Everyone who knew Lovey was aware of her bond with all her brothers and sisters, but we cannot leave out her twin, Delores, better known as “The bosses.” You usually would not see one without the other, and they believed in handling business together whether it came to calling the shots or doing their missionary duties which included visiting the sick, taking family members or friends to appointments, preparing a meal or dropping off a meal. Most of the time, they did it together. Every year Lovey looked forward to making new memories at her family reunion.
Lovey loved the Lord and was very active in the church. She began her early years at St. John 2nd Baptist Church under the leadership of the late Rev. Clarence Nebraska Sample, where she served as president of the Nursing Board and played a very important part in the Union Baptist Association of Delaware, Maryland and adjoining states, and the Sunday School Union Convention. She looked forward to traveling to the convention every year. After the passing of Rev. Sample, she continued her membership under her current pastor, Rev. Annie J. Custis. She was passionate about the work she did. She continued to be very active and involved. She was superintendent of the Sunday School, a Sunday School teacher and helped organize Vacation Bible School for the youth every summer. She loved her church and church family dearly. Lovey also never missed attending the Women’s Koinonia Conference in Ocean City, Md., hosted by Pastor Carol Fields yearly. She will always be remembered as a Koinonia Sister.
She was preceded in death by her father, Tom Hopkins Sr.; son, Perry Hopkins; brothers, Tom Hopkins Jr., Fred Hopkins and Gilford Hopkins; and brothers-in-law, Clarence Justice and Larry Shellton.
She leaves to cherish her memory and to carry on her legacy her mother, Cordelia Hopkins; five children, Deborah Williams (Frank) of Ellendale, Elaine Seay (Colon) of Georgetown, Annette Farlow (Nick) of Seaford, Jerrilyn Holmes (James) of Millsboro and Vaughn Hopkins (Jewel) of Middletown; 10 grandchildren, Keavney Hopkins, Latoya Camper (Kevan), Maleka Pettyjohn (Juan), Darnell Bryant (Arshar), Kimberly Reid, Thomas Reid, Jamesha Hopkins, Brandon Satchell, Jade Hopkins and Jayla Hopkins; 12 great-grandchildren, Tynia Hopkins, Keisha Miller-Hopkins, Shania Hopkins, Jahlier Pettyjohn, Trevor Duncan, Kanasia Hopkins, De’Andre Sears, Janasia Hopkins, Thomas Reid III, Autumn Camper, Destin Hopkins and Aaliyah Henson; five brothers, William Hopkins (Joyce), Elton Hopkins (Mae), Robert Hopkins (Margaret), Nathaniel Hopkins (Sue) and Ivory Hopkins (Evelyn); six sisters, Delores Justice, Mary Watson (Arthur), Shirley Shellton, Levola Hopkins, Regina Taylor and Stephanie Dukes (Rozzell); three sisters-in-law, Wanda Hopkins, Violet Hopkins and Carolyn Hopkins; uncle, Josiah Isler (Brenda) from Salisbury, Md.; godson, Sean Hopkins; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family, and her many friends who loved her very much and will miss her dearly.
Celebration of Life Service will be held Sunday, Jan. 17, at 1 p.m., St. John 2nd Baptist Church, 26602 Mt. Joy Road, Millsboro. Family and friends may visit three hours prior to the service. To offer words of comfort or sign the guestbook visit www.benniesmithfuneralhome.com. Professional services entrusted to Bennie Smith Funeral Home, Millsboro.
