Viola Faye Hopkins

Viola Faye (Higgs) Hopkins, 89, died Saturday, March 10, 2012 at a local nursing facility. Memorial services and celebration of her life will be 2:30p.m. Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at Woodlawn Church of Christ with Mr. Mike Bailey officiating. Burial will follow in the Fort Phantom Hill Cemetery under the direction of Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory St. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 13, 2012 from 6:00 to 7:30p.m. at the funeral home.

Viola was born April 26, 1922 in Funston, TX to Davis Oby Higgs and Sarah Estelle (Hargrove) Higgs. She graduated in 1939 as valedictorian of her class at the Nugent School and later married Lonnie D Hopkins on March 14, 1942. She worked for the Abilene Independent School District as Food Service Manager at College Heights and Jane Long until her retirement in 1982. Viola was also a devoted and loving caregiver to her parents, mother-in-law, husband, and son for many years. Her Christian example has taught her family how to love and serve others as well as the values of family unity, hospitality, and Christian faith. She was a faithful member of Woodlawn Church of Christ for the last 55 years.

Preceding her in death were her loving husband, Lonnie Hopkins; two sons, Dell Hopkins and Phil Hopkins; her sister, Laura Fern Reynolds; and a grandson, Jeric Hopkins.

Viola is survived by two daughters, Jana Teel of Yuba City, CA and Phyllis Sparks of Abilene; fourteen grandchildren, Tracy Teel, Shelley Moscuzza, and Chris Teel of Yuba City, CA; Julie Pearson and husband Steve, Jenny Pearson and husband Travis, and Jordan Waggoner and Matt Pearson of Jefferson City, MO; Josh Hopkins and wife, Amy and Joey Hopkins of Midland, TX; Jill Bundy and husband, Roger of Lubbock, TX; Tiffani Payne of Abilene, Brooke Martin and husband, Jody of Midland, TX; Mitch Silverberg of Buffalo, NY, Aaron Sparks and Tyler Sparks of Abilene; 26 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Dorothy Hopkins of Abilene and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

We thank the staff of Care Inn of Abilene for their loving kindness and care for almost 4 years and to the good Lord for allowing us to walk with her for so long and be touched by her love and joy. She will be missed greatly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to the West TX Alzheimer's Assoc. or Christian Homes of Abilene.