Mattie Lee Hopkins

Mattie Lee Hopkins was born on February 19, 1930 to parents Willie and Annie Clopton in Richey, Mississippi. She was the second of 13 children. Mattie received her formal education in the Chicago Public School system and attended Dunbar High School. She had fond memories of her early work history at W. F. Halls Printing Company as a binder. Later in life she was self-employed transporting children to and from school. While self-employed, she became a regular pioneer (full-time) minister which she loved very much. Mattie met and married Vernon Hopkins, Sr. and with him raised five children. In the early 1950’s Mattie began to learn about Jehovah God and his purposes for mankind and the earth. When she learned that the Bible does not teach of a literal burning in Hell, she wanted to know more. And more she did, to the point of dedicating her life to Jehovah and symbolizing it by means of water baptism in July 1955. Afterwards, she continued to learn more and grow in her knowledge and understanding of God’s Word the Bible. She was like Anna, “never missing from the temple.” Mattie spent every waking breath talking about Jehovah. The way she loved her family, friends and whomever she came in contact with, to her they had to know about Jehovah’s love for all of mankind. She’ll always be remembered best for that. The last four years became very difficult for Mattie, her family and friends. So much so, that on Friday, July 6, 2012, Mattie, "Matt-Lee", as her siblings fondly called her, fell asleep in death. She was preceded in death by eight siblings: Fred, William, Andrew, Leroy, Dottie, Herman, Harriett and Winnie Jean; her husband: Vernon Sr. in 1991; her granddaughter: Felicia in 1991; and her great-granddaughter: Tamauri in 2012. Mattie is already missed and leaves to cherish her memories five children: Patricia known as Carolyn or Pat, Calvin, Kathelia, Monico and Vernon Jr. (Jean); four siblings: Marion known as Mae, Bob (Dora), Peter (Linda) and Gladys (Oscar); one sister-in-law: Edna; six grandchildren: Serene known as Tiffany (Durwin), Edith (Jonathan), Kathelia, Tonnea (Raymond), Stacey and Amber; twelve great-grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.

Tributes

Mattie Lee Hopkins

February 19, 1930 - July 6, 2012