Frances Evelyn Hopkins

March 9, 1933 - April 8, 2023

Frances Evelyn Hopkins was born on March 9, 1933, in Paducah, Texas to Marvin and Prudence Hilliard. The blended family had 13 children, so she was never lonely. They struggled to make ends meet, and every family member pitched in to help out. Frances had memories of working in the cotton fields as a child. The family ended up moving to California, where Frances met and married her high school classmate, David Hopkins. Together they raised three children, with Frances working diligently to help support the family. She fondly remembered her many years as a valued server at Buellton's Pea Soup Anderson, where she was featured in a national ad campaign! She then served as a bus driver for many years before retirement.

Frances' joy was first in Jesus, her Lord and Savior, and in her husband and three children. As her close-knit family grew up, Sundays always meant going to church and then a plentiful Sunday dinner at "Mom and Dad's." Over time, Sunday dinner grew to include her children's spouses, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren! Fran, Mom, Grandma, or Grammy, as she was called by her family, was always happiest when surrounded by her family, and we all loved to gather around her table.

Frances also loved spending time at church gatherings, often baking or cooking for occasions or anyone in need. Another of her passions was going to garage sales, and she became a pro at showing up early for the best items and negotiating a great price.

We are so grateful that Mom went to be with her Lord for Resurrection Sunday! She has touched so many lives and has sown so deeply into the lives of her husband, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We have all been shown what it means to love well, care for others, be selfless, and never say a harsh word about another. She modeled motherhood and grandma-hood so beautifully to us all, and each of us felt we were the favorite.

Frances' loving husband of 52 years preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Leigh; son, Michael Hopkins and his wife, Sharon. Her grandchildren are Carrie Hopkins, Stacey Hopkins, Candace Fuggs, Troy Lara, Tawni Webster, Kolby Long, Kaitlin Leigh, and Hannah Darnell, and she has 13 great-grandchildren.

Mom, we are eternally grateful to you for all your love and prayers. Enjoy Sunday dinners with all our loved ones at your house in heaven...you don't have to spend all morning cooking and afternoon doing dishes! Most of all, enjoy being with Jesus, whom you also loved and served so well her on earth! We love you.