Edith Lue Hopkins

EDITH LUE HOPKINS, was born on September 1st 1918 in Buckingham, VA to Thomas and Mary Jones and passed away peacefully amongst the comfort of family and friends on June 28th 2011. Edith was the third of eight children, preceded in death by her beloved husband John Hopkins, and her sibling Thomas Jones, Race Jones, Arnethia Jones, Rosa Branch, Besie Wright, and Eva Holcombe. She is survived by her sister Frances Fleming. She was the matriarch to 14 children, preceded in death by Donald Hopkins, Jacqueline Hopkins, Everette Hopkins and Linda Parker. Edith leaves to cherish her memory Dorothy Hopkins, Larry Hopkins, Jean Hopkins, Barbara Haralson, Frances Jones, Arnold Hopkins (Loretta Hopkins), Ellis Hopkins (Wendy Hopkins), Mary Hopkins- Navies (Jerome Navies), Michael Hopkins, Virgilia Hopkins- Holley. She is survived by 26 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild. When it came to her children and grandchildren, she never used the word sacrifice because the word implies giving something up and she felt that her duties as a mother were a blessing. Edith touched the lives of many people and the genesis of her generosity can be traced back to Bridgeway Baptist church where she first received Christ. She moved to Maryland in 1930 and married the love of her life John Hopkins in 1936. Despite many responsibilities, she prided herself on being easily accessible and when anyone came to visit the Hopkins household, they felt better about themselves when they left. She was an excellent cook who prided herself on preparing everything from scratch, her rolls and codfish cakes where favorites amongst her family and friends. Edith’s passions were family, friends, traveling, and promoting the importance of education. She took pride in instilling her philosophies on life with family and friends. And there wasn’t a moment in time when her house was not filled with those seeking her guidance. She loved traveling, especially cruising around the world; it was as if she and the ocean were kindred spirits. She was a renaissance woman who was well versed in many cultures throughout the world. She truly believed that a life was not fulfilled unless you have seen the many offerings of the world. She was a true ambassador of education and preached the life altering results of scholastic achievement. Her motto was, “every black child should receive a free college education.” Edith will forever leave an indelible mark on the lives she touched, and her legacy will not be bound by time or space. For those who have had the honor to cross her path their outlook on life will be forever changed because Edith believed that with the blessings of God anything in life is attainable.

Tributes

Edith Lue Hopkins

September 1, 1918 - June 28, 2011