Rev. Dr. J S Hopkins

HOPKINS, Rev. Dr.. J S - Age 93, passed away Saturday, September 3, 2016 at his residence. Family hour 10:00 AM Saturday, September 10, 2016 at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, 3020 Dupont Street, with funeral service commencing at 11:00 AM Rev. Kevin Thompson Host Pastor, Rev. Dr. Henry L. Fuller, Jr. Eulogist. Interment Sunset Hills Association, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:00 AM Saturday. Dr. Hopkins will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, 906 W. Flint Park Blvd. Visitation will begin 12:00 NOON Friday, September 9, 2016 at St. Mark M.B. Church, with a memorial service at 6:00 PM. Dr. J. S. Hopkins was born December 19, 1922, to Cleveland Hopkins and Etta Love in Flora, Mississippi. He attended Good Hope Elementary School. He accepted Christ as his personal savior on September 19, 1937. His first church home was Good Hope Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of the late G. J. Williams. In 1942, he was inducted into the United States Army and honorably discharged in 1946. February 14, 1946, he was united in marriage with Miss Lureatha Outland. From this union he became the proud father of eight children. On July 21, 1946, they moved their membership to the Progress Baptist Church in Jackson, Mississippi. While there, he was crowned a deacon under the leadership of the late Reverend L. H. Newsome. He came to Pontiac, Michigan in 1947, and began working for General Motors in 1948. He retired in 1978, after 30 years of dedicated service. He joined Liberty Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. S. M. Edwards. He moved to Flint, Michigan, where along with his wife joined New Zion Missionary Baptist Church. While at New Zion, he served on the deacon board. In 1957, he moved his membership to True Light Missionary Baptist Church, where the late L. W. Owens was pastor, also serving on the deacon board. On August 10, 1958, Reverend J. S. Hopkins was licensed to preach the gospel. Within a year he became an ordained minister. On May 9, 1960, he was called to pastor Temple Missionary Baptist Church. The name was later changed to St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Hopkins attended the United Theological Seminary Extension Center, Flint branch where he received his diploma. Rev. J. S. Hopkins was the pastor of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church for 52 years. His spiritual, civic and social responsibilities have included the following: President of The Baptist Ministers Fellowship Alliance of Flint; Member of the Great Lakes Association; Member of the Board of Directors, Greater Flint O. I. C., Chairman, Annual Awards Committee, Concerned Pastors for Social Action, Dedicated Chairman of the C. P. S. A. Courier Branch Member, The United Theological Seminary Extension Center-Flint; Founder of the Genesee County Christian Institute; Member of the Chaplaincy Advisory Council, Michigan Dept. of Corrections Advisor, Wolverine State Convention, and he received an Honorary Doctorate May 11, 1984, from the United Theological Seminary Extension. Under the leadership of Dr. Hopkins, St. Mark became a member of the Wolverine State Convention. His inspired vision and courageous leadership has immensely blessed the St. Mark Family. Dr. J. S. Hopkins leaves to cherish sweet memories: daughters Elaine (George) Haywood, Arlinda and Hatty Hopkins; sister, Annie Callum, all of Flint; daughter-in-law, Noreen Hopkins, of McKinney, TX; seventeen grandchildren, Derrick Harris, Peoria, IL, Shanita Connor, Indianapolis, IN, Rev. Naylo (Dori) Hopkins of Wesley, PA, Damon, Diedra, and Deondra Hopkins of McKinney, TX. Sharita Harris, Fort Wayne, IN. Harry (Serena) Harris, Jr., LaWan, Sherice, and Sherria Harris, Ivory Edwards, Daniel and Shanique Hopkins, Emerald and Diamond Goodman and Chrishonda Starks, all of Flint; thirty seven great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; special friends, Deacon Henderson Cole, Lee Ross and Rev. and Sis. Lane. Dr. Hopkins was preceded in death by loving wife of 46 years, Lureatha; children, Arlene, Essie, John, Dennis, and Lionel Hopkins; parents, Cleveland Hopkins and Etta Love; sisters, Everda Curtis, Christella Griffin, Lennie Thomas, Estella Bracy; brothers, James Thompson, Theodore Hopkins, and A.V. Hopkins. The family would like to thank Lawrence E. Moon and Moon Funeral Home, Dr. Mendoza, Dr. Predetaneau and McLaren Hospice. Special Thanks to Pastor Kevin Thompson, Sr. and the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church family and friends.

Rev. Dr. J S Hopkins

December 19, 1922 - September 3, 2016