Noah Lee "Junior" Hopkins

The Obituary “A Legacy of Love and Devotion” “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven”. Ecclesiastes 3:1 Noah, was a man of ALL seasons, and the seasons are evident in the life he lived. Faithful - Dedicated – Spirited - Humorous – Loving - Charismatic - Kind - Lively - Gifted - Gentle - Lover “A Time To Be Born” – Noah Lee Hopkins Jr., the second child of sharecroppers, was born to Noah S. Hopkins Sr. and Anna Mae Burton Hopkins October 30, 1923 in Millsboro, Delaware. A strong-willed and inquisitive child like Noah, also known to most as Junior, took little time to begin to plant the foundation for his life. “A Time To Plant” – The planting of the religious seed in his life took root at Old Field A.M.E., Friendship U.M. and Harmony U.M. Churches in Millsboro. Pastor John Collins baptized him in the Millsboro Seven Day Adventist Church. His faithfulness never weakened nor his dedication diminish. Junior’s educational foundation was fulfilled in several schools in the Millsboro area which included Johnson School, Friendship School, Warwick and Millsboro’s Betts Pond. In 1979, he was awarded a G.E.D. from James H. Groves High School. He found joy in working as a truck driver for Tony Johnson, Reed Trucking Company in Milton, Delaware and William E Street. Junior worked over 50 years as a school bus driver and farmer while mastering the techniques of a carpenter, mechanic, plumber, electrician and painter. Noah was especially proud of his military career in World War II. His job included driving trucks. Noah told his story to everyone he met, and listeners were astonished with his recollection of details and specifics. He was drafted in the U.S. Army March 20, 1943 in Fort Dix, New Jersey and received basic training in Camp Lee, Virginia. In July 1943, he went to Camp Maxey, Texas and then to Camp Stoneman which is near San Francisco for approximately six days. Then, along with 8,000 troops on board a Dutch ship headed to New Amsterdam, which was a 19-day journey, they spent 24 hours in Auckland, New Zealand. From November 1943 to January 1944, Junior served in Sydney, Australia and Brisbane, Australia and then on to New Guinea until December 1945. Those exciting adventures can be found in his journal, “Conversations with my Father”. His journey home in January took 18 days when the USS Lanier landed in San Francisco. While serving in the military, Noah was awarded the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. He wore his WWII veteran’s cap with dignity and pride. “Thank you for your service sir” and “you don’t look 90 plus years old” were comments he relished and enjoyed. Junior was honorably discharged January 18, 1946. Noah did indeed embrace life completely and lovingly. He held membership in the VFW Post #10638 Draine-Holden-Norwood-Street, Millsboro, Delaware for many years, Also, current membership in The American Legion Post #28, Millsboro, Delaware. “A Time To Embrace” – Noah’s love for church, family and the military was strengthen when he met and married Catherine E. Street on February 4, 1951. Their lives were complete with the births of six lovely children. Noah loved his children and instilled in them a love for God, a devotion to family, a quest for an education and an admirable work ethic. Junior really loved people and chocolate, especially chocolate chip cookies with black walnuts, homemade ice cream, and he only wanted HOMEMADE cakes and pies. “A Time To Laugh”-Junior loved to laugh, especially after he won several games of Scrabble and gave the losers, usually Vonnie and Greg, two thumbs up indicating he had done it AGAIN. His conversations were always filled with humor, and he found great joy at family gatherings. When vacationing with the family in Nags Head and the Christmas trips to Williamsburg, a special gleam appeared in Junior’s eyes as he watched his grandchildren and great grandchildren. “A Time To Weep and A Time To Mourn” – It must have been the sound of the same quiet trumpet that summoned his wife, Catherine (December 17, 2005), that played “Taps” early Father’s Day morning, June 18, 2017. Like Catherine, Junior, does not want us to merely weep or mourn. They want us to remember. Remember the good times and the bad. Remember the smile they always had. Appreciate the things that brought joy. Junior has left a vivid picture of the life he lived, and a map to chart our journey. Additionally, he has left a legacy of love for family, stories to pass on, cherished memories and a faith in God that will sustain each of us now and always. . . . three sons, Sherman(Dorcas) Hopkins, Sr. (Sewell, NJ); Gregory Hopkins (Dover, De.), Gerald(Melissa) Hopkins (Leonardtown, MD); three daughters, Martha and Veronica Hopkins, and Janice Williams (Dover, De.); nine grandchildren; Krystal Sturgis, Latoya (Dawn)Hopkins, Sherman (Angelique)Hopkins, Jr., Gregory Given, Treviss (Stacey) Givens, Lance Hopkins, Ashley Williams, Juree Hopkins and Colin Hamilton; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Melvin (Frances)Hopkins and Kendall Hopkins (Milton, De.); one sister, Lillian Kenney (Delmar, MD); tree brothers-in-law, John Morris (St. Augustine, FL), William Daisey, Sr. (Dover, De.) and Norman (Janell) Street (San Diego, CA); two sisters-in -law, Elaine Street(Bridgeton, NJ) and Doris Street (Rancho Cucamonga, CA) and a host of relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, granddaughter, Cameron Hamilton, three brothers, Preston, Lindford and William Jasper Hopkins, three sisters, Viola Drummond, Minnie Bibbons and Elva Wise, and one son-in-law, Samuel Williams. Lovingly submitted, THE FAMILY To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Noah Lee "Junior" Hopkins, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Noah Lee "Junior" Hopkins

October 30, 1923 - June 18, 2017