Obituary of Leora Hopson

                                               LEORA EVANS HOPSON

     Leora Hopson, 79 of Albion peacefully made her transition from this earthly body to her heavenly home on Tuesday, June 5, 2019 at Faith Haven Senior Care Center in Jackson, Michigan. Leora was born on May 13, 1940 to the late Elijah Sr., and Iree (Spicer) Evans-Byrd in (Warren County) Vicksburg, Mississippi.  Leora moved to Albion, Michigan with her family in 1952.  She was the oldest of nine children.  She also was the oldest grandchild of Sam Sr., and Paralee (Griffin) Spicer.  She attended Austin School, Crowell School and graduated from Washington Gardner High School in 1959. 

     Lee, as she was affectionately called, met and married her high school sweetheart, Robert C. Hopson on January 31, 1960.  Lee accepted Christ at an early age while living in Mississippi.  When the family moved to Albion, she joined Bethel Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. M.H. Wheeler Sr.  She loved listening to all types of music, with gospel being her favorite.  Two of her favorite singers/groups were Mahalia Jackson and The Williams Brothers.   Her favorite Bible scripture was Psalm 23 and The Ten Commandments was her all-time favorite movie, which she watched every year. In continuing with her tradition, the television was always put on that movie every Easter weekend so she could hear it even if she wasn’t able to watch it.    

      Lee loved children and in her youth she was known as the neighborhood babysitter.   She was so excited about the new baby in the family (Gladys-her doll), that she used her babysitting money to buy “doll” clothes.  Leora had two very special little girls that she loved like they were her very own daughters her niece Kimberly Evans-Harvey and her cousin Ericka Burch-Turner which Lee felt they did no wrong. She was also an excellent cook and voiced at times she wished she would have started her own restaurant business.  She found great joy in catering weddings and open houses for family and friends and many times not charging a penny.  Lee truly enjoyed helping others that was her God given gift.  Each summer she would cook the entire meal for Robert and his golfing friends.  She was always there for her family and anyone else that needed her.

      Lee worked at Sheldon Memorial Hospital as a nurse’s aide, McGraw-Edison Company for 13 years and retired from Starr Commonwealth in January of 2002 after 24 years of employment.   

      Lee enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren’s sporting events.  She loved her children and grandchildren, and they loved her.  Lee and Robert were very active and supportive in their children’s athletic careers, attending local games as well as out of town events.  They showed much pride and support during Dean's basketball career. She was always there for her children and grandchildren.  Lee became an assistant with Dr. Miriam S. Daly and the Girl Scouts in support of her daughter Bobette who was a girl scout.  She also enjoyed bowling and held an average of 183, which was very good for a lady.   During her bowling tenure, she bowled on a team with her husband Robert, Donald Scott, Dennis Reid, Walt and Chizio Clark.  They were a good team and won several championships in the Albion and Battle Creek leagues.  Many admired her bowling approach, which earned her numerous awards and trophies.

     Lee had such a giving loving heart as she would help anyone in need no matter what the reason.  She became a friend to everyone she met.  She had a firm facial expression (which she inherited from her dad), but was the kindest person you ever wanted to know.  If she thought you were wrong, she would let you know.  On the other hand, if you did something good, she would praise you highly. Lee was a special mother to Milton Barnes, Michael Williams and the late Yvonne Horne, who were Albion College students in the 70's when she became acquainted with them. Lee loved her aunts equally, but her “road dog” was her Aunt Geneva Coney. Maurice Barnes (Jr.) was a “very, very special cousin” to Lee and her husband in always making sure that they were taken care of at all times. He meant the world to her, her husband and her children. He was always there for Bobette when going through the rough times of both parents being sick. Her sisters were always there in support and love but Gladys was her baby doll and she went the extra, extra mile for Lee in whatever needed to be done.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​      Lee leaves to cherish her precious and loving memories, Robert, husband of 59 years, daughter, Bobette Y. Hopson and son, Dean J. Hopson both of Albion, MI.  Three grandchildren, Marnique Hopson, Ypsilanti, MI, Ryan Hopson, Albion, MI and Danielle Hopson Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.  Four sisters, Paralee Bowman, Irene Gamble, and Gladys (Dennis) Reid, all of Albion, MI., and Robbie Evans of Atlanta, Georgia. Two brothers, Elijah (Joyce) Evans Jr. of Lansing, MI., and Tommy Evans of Hanover, MI., God-daughter Michele Johnson, Albion, MI., Sister-in-laws, Carolyn (Larry) Hall, Lansing, IL, Carrie N. Evans, Battle Creek, MI, Paula Evans, Jackson, MI, and Tonya Evans-Wilder of Canton, Ohio.  She is also survived by adopted daughters, Kimberly Evans-Harvey, Phoenix, AZ, and Ericka Burch-Turner, Huntersville, NC., sister, Willie Ann Miller, Albion, MI.  Aunts, Florence Wallace, Lula (Henderson) Harris and Geneva Coney of Albion, MI. and Louise Miller of Grand Rapids, MI., and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Leora was preceded in death by her parents, Elijah Evans Sr. and Iree Evans Byrd. Three brothers, Stanley Evans, Rev. Willie Ed Evans Sr., and Robert Earl Evans.  One sister Clotte (Shug) Evans-Jones.