Willie Ruth Hopkins

Willie Ruth Davis was born on August 2, 1932 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina to Harvey and Fronie Davis. In 1955 she met Darrel Hopkins. She was immediately attracted to him because of his argyle socks. He proposed to her a week later and they were married on December 27, 1955 in Itascha County, Minnesota. In 1956 they moved to Washington State and both began working for Boeing. In 1956 they had their first daughter Brenda, followed by Karen in 1959, Michael in 1961, and Roger in 1964. As a family they enjoyed traveling, family gatherings, and day trips to the ocean and mountains. Willie retired from Boeing in the late 1980s. After retirement she and Darrel enjoyed traveling to Mount Rushmore, Minnesota, North Dakota, North Carolina, the Grand Canyon, and their favorite places; Reno and Las Vegas. Willie also enjoyed having her mom and sister Mozell travel from North Carolina for long summer visits. After a car accident in 1983 left her oldest daughter paralyzed she became her primary care taker and best friend. She never let a holiday, birthday, or special occasion go by without Brenda involved and later visiting her weekly in the hospital. Later in life Willie enjoyed spending time with her eight grandchildren

and later her 11 great-grandchildren. After the passing of her husband in 2010 she continued traveling with her son Roger and daughter Karen to Las Vegas and Reno where she always came away a winner. She also enjoyed going out to breakfast and everyone at the local restaurants knew her name. She will be remembered for her silent laughs, warm hugs, fried chicken, and her unconditional love of all her family and friends.