Ellen Elizabeth Hopkins was born on October 9, 1921, in Dawson, Texas, to Frank and Annie Hopkins. She had two half-siblings: Burley McCullough and Thelma McCullough. Her parents and siblings all preceded her in death.
Ellen is survived by 2 daughters: Karen Murphy and husband Jim, of Roseville, Calif. and Mitzi Lee and her life partner Jim Bryan, of Edmond, Okla.
Ellen, who is lovingly called “BO” by her 5 grandsons: Todd Murphy and wife Maggie, of Portland, Ore., Travis Murphy and wife Leah, of Sacramento, Calif., Robert Pearsall and Adam Pearsall of Oklahoma City, and Matthew Pearsall and wife Laura, of Yukon, Okla.
She also has 4 great-grandsons who lovingly call her “Great Gran BO”: Ezra, Jude and Wilder Murphy, of Sacramento, and Holden Pearsall, of Yukon.
She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and one cousin.
She spent her childhood in Dawson, attending all 12 years of school there and graduating valedictorian of Dawson High School. But she wasn’t just about academics, as friends remember she owned one of the first Monopoly games and frequently had friends over to play. She was even honored as winning the Miss Dawson pageant.
Ellen earned a bachelor’s degree from North Texas State University and later received a master's degree from University of Central Oklahoma. In 1943, she married the love of her life, Charles Boldin, who served as a B-25 bombardier in the Army Air Force during WWII.
After the war, they settled in Dallas, Texas, where Charles was a high school principal and athletic coach and Ellen taught high school business classes. In 1956, they moved to Edmond, Okla., where Charles became the Superintendent of Boys Ranch Town, affiliated with the Baptist Homes for Children. Ellen lovingly worked alongside and supported her husband at Boys Ranch for over 25 years. In addition to teaching in an alternative high school for girls, she developed programs for tutoring and educational support for the boys at the ranch.
Ellen was actively involved in Edmond's First Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School classes for over 50 years and she was still teaching a class for senior adult women when she was 98 years old! She loved teaching her classes and was not only a Bible scholar but sought to help others see how its’ teachings could be applied to every aspect of life. She also loved mentoring young women in the growth and development of their Christian faith.
Ellen was very active in community service. She was an active member of P.E.O. for over 50 years and held several offices, including President. She was one of the Edmond women from 1907-2007, who were honored on a monument displayed in historic downtown Edmond. She shared her love of teaching by private tutoring and instructing international students studying for their U.S. citizenship.
Ellen will forever be remembered for her deep faith and unconditional love. She was always there to listen, offering a positive word and a helping hand. She never betrayed the confidence of a friend! Her grandsons fondly talk about the fact that she continued to drive well into her senior years, so her friends, “the girls” could run their errands.
Her positive outlook, attitude and keen sense of humor always helped lighten the mood and lifted the spirit of others. She always saw the good in people, which explains why so many people loved her. She was famous for making friends everywhere she went.
The family celebrated her life with a private graveside service. She will be honored by friends and family in the fall of 2021, with a celebration of her 100th birthday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Boys Ranch Town, 5100 E. 33rd Edmond, Ok. 73013, in Ellen Boldin’s memory.
Her spirit lives within everyone she loved!! She leaves a legacy of family, faith and friendship.
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