MARY L. HOPKINS
OCTOBER 31, 1910 – SEPTEMBER 10, 2009
ANDERSON, SC – Mary Lankford Hopkins, age 98, of 406 Long Forest Circle, Anderson, died on Thursday morning at the Rainey Hospice House in Anderson. Mary Hopkins was born on October 31, 1910, in Sikeston, Missouri to Joe and Gertrude Lankford. She was married to the late Harold Hopkins, her husband of nearly fifty years. She lived in Chaffee, Missouri nearly all her life before moving to Anderson in 1997. She was blessed with nearly 99 years of life before her death at the Rainey Hospice House on September 10, 2009. She is a member of Concord Baptist Church in Anderson.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Leslie and Kenneth Lankford. She is survived by two sons and their spouses, Jae and Akiko Hopkins of San Diego, California and Mark and Ruth Hopkins of Anderson, SC. Mrs. Hopkins had five grandchildren: Amy Hopkins of Atlanta, GA, Sara Bopp, Joe Hopkins, and Andy Hopkins of Simpsonville, SC, Steve Hopkins of Warwick, RI, and ten great grandchildren.
Mary Hopkins was a teacher in Missouri for almost forty years and, also, was a well-known musician who traveled with the 140th Infantry Band as a soloist in her youth. She taught English and directed choirs and play productions for most of her professional life. She also taught the Senior Women’s Sunday School Class at the First Baptist Church in Chaffee, Missouri, for many years – a class that was previously taught by her Mother. She often said that her greatest pride was in her sons, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. She was a sixth decade member of the PEO and was an avid Bridge player.
In more recent years, she was most appreciative of her many friends here in Anderson who walked with her daily at the Anderson Mall and her Sunday School Class friends at Concord Baptist Church. A Memorial Service will be held at 7:30 pm on Friday, September 11, 2009, in the Chapel of The McDougald Funeral Home with the Reverend Dr. Don Cox officiating. Visitation for the family will occur preceding the service from 6:30 pm until 7:30 pm. Interment will be near Chaffee, Missouri, where Mrs. Hopkins lived most of her life.
The family will be at the residence, 406 Long Forest Circle, Anderson. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Music Ministry of Concord Baptist Church, 1012 Concord Road, Anderson, SC 29621, or to Hospice of The Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621. A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.