Kendall Burton Hopkins

Kendall’s older brothers were in the armed services and while they were on active duty, Kendall, who was the youngest, had to quit school in the eighth grade to help out on the farm. You would never know, however, that Kendall only had an eighth-grade education, from all of the things that he could do. For example, Kendall loved working with wood. If he could visualize it, he could build it. He often created lounge chairs, swings, picnic tables, dog houses, carts, bird feeders, cabinets, gun racks, and sheds. Kendall also thought of himself as a very good chef and loved to cook for his family. He often made homemade ice cream for family barbecues, sweet potato pies, chicken and dumplings, and many more dishes. He loved breakfast and was known for his pancakes. He and his wife often competed in the kitchen to see who could make the best homemade yeast rolls and other dishes. Kendall loved to be outside. If he was not sitting in his favorite lounge chair with his homemade fan blowing on him, he could be spotted working in his garden or working under the hoods of cars. He was a self-taught mechanic and could diagnose and fix any car problem. Despite the countless hours spent working on cars, he never charged anyone a fee for his services. Anyone who knew Kendall would agree that he had the gift of gab. He loved being around his family and friends where he shared jokes and tons of “stories.” If you ever stopped by his home to visit, you were greeted with a smile, a joke, and most likely, a funny story. After retiring from the Reed Trucking Company, Kendall spent numerous hours driving and sitting in his red GMC pick-up truck. Both Kendall and his favorite truck could be spotted in the Milton Food Lion parking lot, where he chatted with friends and family and enjoyed a good meal from KFC. Although Kendall was not a member of a church, his life could be summarized under the following principle: “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Kendall’s life reflected this value in that he never held a grudge, no matter how mad he may have been. Additionally, he would give to his family and strangers, money, time, or anything else that they needed. Prior to departing this life, Kendall accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and Lord. Kendall is preceded in death by his wife and son, Dorothy and Roosevelt; his parents; four brothers, Lindford, Preston, William J. and Noah L. Hopkins, Jr.; and three sisters, Viola Drummond, Minnie Bibbins, and Elva Wise. Kendall leaves to mourn his loss, three sons, Kendall Hopkins, Jr. (Camden, DE), Kevin L. Hopkins (Chicago, IL) and Duane K. Hopkins, Sr. (Milton, DE); one daughter, Lorie A. Hopkins (Milton, DE); two grandchildren, Duane K. Hopkins, II (Bridgeville, DE) and Shanice Durham (Laurel, DE); one brother, Melvin Hopkins, Sr. (Long Neck, DE); one sister, Lillian Kenney (Delmar, MD); one brother-in-law, Vincent Wise, Sr. (Millsboro, DE), one honorary son, William Tiggs (Harrington, DE); a devoted nephew and niece, Robert Savage (Milton, DE) and Mary Parker (Milton, DE) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Lovingly Submitted, The Family To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kendall Burton Hopkins, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Kendall Burton Hopkins

September 30, 1937 - February 26, 2018