Psalms 39:5 says, “You have made my days a mere handbreadth: the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.” Mary Alice (Thornton) Hopkins lived a productive life on this earth; she was graced by a few more breaths than normal as she reached the age of 95. This Jesus-loving mother of three left us Saturday, September 28 to be with her maker. She was born on April 15, 1929.
Mary Alice was a kind and respectable spirit; she had all the friends one could ever want, and absolutely no enemies. Her life revolved around her church and faith in God, her family and friends and her cooking wizardry. She fed multitudes of people over the years at church events and other socials such as Tupelo Days. Everyone upon arriving immediately asked which ones were ‘Mrs. Mary’s’ dishes. She loved children and taught many as a long-time mentor at the Tupelo Assembly of God church. She was a deacon, piano player, guitar player and singer at the church. Away from church, her biggest passion after her family was fishing. When you took her fishing, it was hard to get her to go home.
Mary is survived by one son, James Hopkins (Dana) of Newport, Arkansas, a daughter, Bethany Crow (Chuck) of Tulsa, Oklahoma and a daughter Rebekah Hopkins (Linda) of Russellville, Arkansas. She is also survived by one brother, Larry (Baha Peninsula) and two sisters, Sonya (California) and Bonnie (Arizona). She is survived by five grandsons, Jason Froman (Heather) of Newport, Aaron Hopkins (Lesley) of Berryville, Zach Hopkins (Amy) of Newport, Jeff Crow of Tulsa and Sam Crow of Tulsa, as well as one granddaughter, Joy Crow of Tulsa. She is also survived by four great-grandsons, Miles Hopkins, Rowan Hopkins, Coy Hopkins, and Blue Ringgold-Crow, and a host of children who always called her ‘Grandma.’
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence Eugene Thornton and Mary Magdalene (Wiggs) Thornton Boyster, her husband of 54 years, James Edward Hopkins, one brother, Zane, and four sisters, Helen, Betty, Faye Ruth, and Sally.
Visitation will be at the Tupelo Assembly of God church at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 4, followed immediately by a service with Pastor Ken Chipman officiating. Burial will follow at Sandhill Cemetery. Pallbearers are Jason Froman, Aaron Hopkins, Zach Hopkins, Jeff Crow, Sam Crow and Lynn Simmons. Honorary pallbearers are Miles Hopkins, Rowan Hopkins, Coy Hopkins, Blue Ringgold-Crow, Shawn Dolph and Jimmy Don Ford.
