Obituary of Robert Coleman Hopson

ROBERT COLEMAN HOPSON Robert Coleman Hopson, age 83, peacefully transitioned in his home with his granddaughter Marnique Hopson by his side from this earthly life to his Heavenly home, on Friday, May 7, 2021. Robert was born on May 25, 1937 in Albion, Michigan to the late Emma Coleman and Alduffy McCrackin at the home of his great-grandmother Julia Galloway on Chestnut Street. He accepted the Lord at an early age and was a member of Lewis Chapel AME Church in Albion. Robert attended Albion Public Schools and graduated from Washington Gardner High School in 1955. Robert was an avid athlete and excelled in football and basketball. During his senior year he was named Honorary Co-Captain of the 1955 Basketball Team and was the high point man on the team. He also won Honorable Mention on the All-Conference Football Team his senior year. On January 31, 1960 Robert married his high school sweetheart, Leora “Lee” Evans. To this union two children were born, Bobette Y. Hopson and Dean J. Hopson. Robert loved his family and was a great provider. He worked at Albion Malleable for over 30 years as a Mill Wright Worker before retiring due to health issues. Robert was a man of many names and was known as Dad, Gramps, Bob, Hop, Big Hop, and Uncle Robert. He was a very intelligent, reserved, quiet and laid-back man. Anyone who entered his home was always greeted with a smile and one of his daily activities was sitting in his favorite chair and looking out the window to check out what was happening outside. Everyone felt at home when you entered into the Hopson’s home as they knew no strangers. He enjoyed watching all types of sporting shows on television and his favorite movie “Dracula”. When he was a child, he received a motor scooter which he loved so much that he purchased a motorcycle when he became an adult living on Eaton Street and that was the birth of the Motorcycle Gang being formed. Robert, the Patterson brothers (Jerry, R.D. & Isaiah), Will Stone, Arnold Sanders, Charlie Jones and Jim Booker enjoyed their “toys”. He loved hanging out with the Motorcycle Gang, riding around and making noise with their cycles. Robert always encouraged his children and those around him to do their best. He enjoyed all types of sports. In addition to basketball and football, he also loved the game of bowling and golf. Robert, along with wife Leora, Dennis Reid, Donald Scott, Walt and Chizio Clark had a very good team and won several championships in the Albion and Battle Creek leagues. Robert orchestrated the Masters Golf Outing which consisted of Black golfers from Albion, Battle Creek and Kalamazoo. Robert had a special golf club name “Too Sweet” that no one was allowed to touch. The group enjoyed a full course meal prepared by Leora at the end of their season. Robert's favorite meal consisted of pork roast, sweet potatoes and macaroni and cheese. Leora mastered this meal, not to prove she was a good cook but because it was a meal he enjoyed and the memory that his mother use to make it for him. Emma use to tell Lee, you “gonna” spoil him. He was an only child and already spoiled by Emma. They both loved Robert and didn't mind spoiling him. Robert and Leora enjoyed traveling across Michigan to watch their children and grandchildren participate in various sporting events. Seeing them play in some of the games he played in high school brought him so much joy and pride. When Dean was accepted at University of Michigan to play basketball, Robert was overwhelmed with pride. His work was not done, when Ryan started playing sports he purchased a new car so that he and Lee could make it to all his games, which they did. They were their children/grandchildren biggest fans and supporters. His highlighted happiness came when his great granddaughter Jernique was born looking so much like his beloved wife Leora. Jernique who was known as “Snooks” to him brought joy, love and new life into Robert when she was around. Robert leaves to cherish his memory, Daughter: Bobette Y. Hopson and Son: Dean J. Hopson both of Albion, MI. Three grandchildren: Marnique Hopson and Ryan Hopson both of Albion, MI., and Danielle Hopson of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.; One great granddaughter: Jernique “Snooks” Hopson Bigham of Albion, MI.; One sister: Carolyn (Lawrence) Hall of Lansing, IL.; God-daughter: Michele Johnson of Albion, MI.; Two brother-in-laws: Elijah (Joyce) Evans of Lansing, MI.; and Tommy Evans of Albion, MI.; Five sister-in-laws: Paralee Evans Bowman of Jackson, MI, Gladys (Dennis) Reid of Albion, MI., Robbie Evans of Atlanta, GA, Carrie Nell Evans of Battle Creek, MI., and Paula Evans of Jackson, MI.; He is also survived by Adopted daughters: Kimberly Evans-Harvey of Phoenix, AZ, and Ericka Burch-Turner of Charlotte, NC.; Special cousin/son: Maurice Barnes, Jr. of Houston, TX,; Adopted sons: Milton Barnes of Albion, MI, and Michael Williams of Westland, MI,; Special daughter in law: Kari Eagan of Coconut Creek, FL.; Cousin: Doris McCrackin of Albion, MI.; Special friends: Kia Clark, of Lansing, MI.; and Samantha Clark, of Albion, MI.; and Good friends: James (Goody) Powell, of Battle Creek,: Raymond Collins, Earlie Dees, and Will Atkins of Albion, MI.; four aunts and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Robert was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years Leora, his parents Emma McDonald and Alduffy McCrackin, adopted Father Joseph Hopson, stepfather Albert (Flash) McDonald and his mother-in-law: Iree Evans Byrd; and special Aunt and Uncle Mozelle and Fred Howard. Robert was loved by all and will be sadly missed tremendously.