Pamela Sue Hopkins

Pamela Sue (Arnold) Hopkins, age 65, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday April 28, with her children and family by her side. As a faithful woman who loved the Lord, we are thankful knowing that after many years of living with a debilitating illness, she is finally at peace. She joins her parents, Fred Arnold III and Shirley Ann Arnold.

Born on February 23, 1958, in Flagstaff, Arizona, her family moved to Greenacres, Washington in the early 1960’s, just in time for her to start school. As a child she was a avid reader and active member of Spokane Valley Baptist Church, particularly the youth group. In high school she was involved with 4H, Girl Scouts, the French Exchange program, the softball team, and was Editor of the yearbook. She graduated from Central Valley High School with the class of 1976, and went on to study teaching at Central Washington University. She did her student teaching in the Yakima Indian reservation, and graduated with the class of 1980. During her career, she would go on to teach in Rhode Island, Washington, and Idaho, touching many lives along the way.

She married Glenn Hopkins on December 15th, 1984 , and together they welcomed their children, Matthew Robert in 1987 and Melissa Anne in 1991. Her children were the light of her life, and made her smile more than they could know.

Throughout her life she put her time and love into her faith, helping with Christmas Toy Drives, her children's Youth Groups, and being a part of the American Baptist Woman's Ministries, even traveling with them to China in the 90's.

Pam always had a great love for animals (both real and stuffed!) and she was a thoughtful gift giver, who enjoyed giving gifts to those she loved. She loved reading, Jeopardy, solitaire and crossword puzzles. She loved taking long drives and just enjoying the company of others. Hers was a life lived caring for those around her.

She leaves behind: her children Matthew and Melissa of Coeur d’Alene ID, her former husband and dear friend Glenn of Washington State; her sister Nancy and her husband Terry of Hayden Lake, ID; her brother Fred "Skip" of Spokane; her many beloved cousins, sixteen nieces and nephews, and twelve grand-nieces and nephews. Her memory lives on now in each of their hearts, and she will be greatly missed.

A celebration of life will be held on May 13th at 1pm, at the Spokane Valley Baptist Church, located at 1222 S. McDonald Road, in Spokane Valley. For those unable to travel for the service, a live stream will be set up on Facebook Live.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully invites you to make donations in Pam’s name to either The East Bonner Library’s Homebound Program, and program that brought her great joy, or Compassion International, a cause close to her heart.