Bishop Larry Darnell Hopkins

Bishop Larry Darnell Hopkins was the seventh of nine children born to Sara and Elias Hopkins on October 4, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois. Bishop Hopkins received his formal education in the Ford Heights (East Chicago Heights) school system. He attended Bloom Community College (Prairie State College) in Chicago Heights. He received his Bachelor and Master Degrees from Midwest Theological Seminary in New Orleans, LA. Bishop Hopkins accepted Christ at the age of 8, at the First Union Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorate of Reverend Theodore McMillian. A gifted and talented individual, Bishop Hopkins was a soloist and choir director par excellent. Bishop Hopkins knew at the age of 16, that there was a calling on his life. At the age of 20, he publicly announced his calling at the First Union Missionary Baptist Church where he served faithfully. In 1971, Bishop Hopkins married Debra Pickett. To this union, one child, Larry Darnell Hopkins Jr. was born. Throughout his life, Bishop Hopkins continued to use his talent in the music ministry. Along with his lifelong friends Walter White Jr. and Edward Jones Sr., Bishop Hopkins organized the Midwest State Choir. More than 250 young people were a part of this ministry. The Midwest State Choir was known throughout the Chicagoland and Metropolitan Areas. Bishop Hopkins also sang and directed the Mighty Warriors of the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer under the direction of the late Father Charles G. Hayes. In 1975, Bishop Hopkins was ordained in the Gospel ministry under the leadership of Father Charles G. Hayes under the banner of the Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer. During that same year, Bishop Hopkins established and became the Pastor of the Mt. Sinai Church of Prayer in Chicago Heights, IL. Mt. Sinai became a pillar in the community and surrounding area. Mt. Sinai’s choir won several musical awards throughout the tenure of the church. Bishop Hopkins was also the Pastor and Establishmentarian of the Grace Bible Church of Ford Heights, IL. He later went on to pastor the Hill of Zion Baptist Church in Metairie, LA and St. John CME Church in Fort Wayne, IN. Before his untimely departure, Bishop Hopkins was the Pastor and Establishmentarian of the Traditional New Testament Church of Chicago Heights, IL. Bishop Hopkins was employed with the Ford Heights Public School System, District #169 for many years. He was also elected to the Board of Education from November 1985 until 1989. No matter how many times he left the District, he always found his way back, and loved the students and staff as family. He eventually retired from District #169 as his health began to decline. Briefly after retirement, Bishop Hopkins worked for the Village of Ford Heights and DLM Transportation. Bishop Hopkins was a fighter, a preserver, and moved forward despite the many obstacles he faced. On early Resurrection Sunday, April 21, 2019, Bishop Hopkins went to take his enteral rest. Bishop was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and one sister. Bishop Hopkins leaves to cherish his memory, two sons: Larry Jr. and Prentice Robison; four sisters: Georgia McGhee, Sharon Hopkins, Elizabeth Powell and Shelia Wilson-Smith; one brother: Earl Johnson (Lynn); many nieces, nephews, and cousins; special life-long friends: Walter White Jr. “JR “, Reverend Ellis Franklin Jr., and Pasty Jones; his longtime friend and care taker: Margaret Willis; his special friends: Cory Carter, Cleandress Murphy, and Timothy Lockett; his wonderful three godchildren: Crystal Jones, LeVita Jones, and Rosaline Richardson; last, but certainly not least, the New Testament Church Family and Mildred Johnson, Luverta Whitlock, and Mother Mary Harris. We will truly miss Bishop Hopkins because of who he was in our lives. He fought the good fight, finished his course, and kept the faith. He was truly a Giant and will forever live in our hearts. Rest on our father, brother, uncle, cousin, friend, godfather, and Bishop.

Tributes

Bishop Larry Darnell Hopkins

October 4, 1948 - April 21, 2019