Jo Ann Sawls Hopkins

Born in Fairfield, Alabama to Lola and Tom Sawls, Jo Ann was the sixth of seven children. She attended Fairfield High School and lived her life in Fairfield, Ensley (Central Park) and Cahaba Heights, where she shared kindness and love with everyone she met.

Jo Ann worked for over 40 years at Jim Clay Optical, where she made lifelong friendships with customers and co-workers alike. She attended West End Cumberland Presbyterian Church and the Cathedral Church of the Advent.

Jo Ann was preceded to Heaven by her parents; her siblings, Carl, Carleen, Sudie, Lola Bettye, and Pat; and her husband of 54 years, Charles Hopkins Sr.

She is survived by her fortunate son, Charlie Hopkins (Charlotte); God-daughters, Panda Patton Irwin and Rhonda Patton; granddaughters, Courtney McMahon (Steven), Leslie Pitman (Robert), Emmy Hopkins, and Elizabeth Cornett (Michael); eight great-grandchildren, Ella, Graeme, Bo, Jack, Coles, Julia, Alivia, Ava; and a gaggle of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and neighborhood children, all of whom she loved with all her heart.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate Jo Ann's life at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. A Family Graveside Service will follow at 2 p.m. at Southern Heritage Cemetery, Pelham, and will be conducted by Canon Reverend Jay Gardner of The Cathedral Church of the Advent.

Also on Friday, March 20, 2026, a Community Celebration of Jo Ann's life will be from 4-6 p.m. at her residence in Cahaba Heights, Alabama. It will be the last of the many great parties she will throw!

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Jo Ann Hopkins' name to The Greater Birmingham Humane Society, www.gbhs.org.