Joyce Ann Hopkins

Joyce Hopkins, age 81 of Evant, took her new residence in heaven on the morning of November 26, 2021 surrounded by her family at her home.

Visitation will be 5 – 7 pm, Friday, December 3, 2021 at Scott’s Funeral Home.

Joyce was born on June 4, 1940 in Lawrenceburg, Indiana to the late William and Ruth Mary (Schwing) Hopper. She grew up and attended school in Manchester, Indiana.  She married James Hopkins on August 27, 1960. They spent 57 wonderful years together before he preceded her in death in May of 2018. Moved to the Gatesville area in 1986 and to Evant in the early 90’s.

Over the course of her life, she was a CNA and did multiple tasks at Leon River in Gatesville. She retired as a Headstart teacher of 25 years. She loved and is loved by every child she taught. To them as well as many in the Gatesville community, she was known as Ms. Joyce.

Joyce was a member of the Faith Freewill Baptist Church in Moorse Hill, Indiana where she taught Sunday School, Youth group and played the piano.

She enjoyed teaching, playing piano and accordion, crocheting, and doing crafts. She loved to laugh, have fun and play pranks. She loved and enjoyed her family and grandchildren more than anything. Most of all she loved reading her Bible and listening to gospel music. Her favorites were the Gaithers and the Goodmans.

Joyce passed on the greatest legacy anyone can pass on to her children and family. It isn’t money or material things but a legacy of Christian character and faith. The precious gift of faith is something that will forever enrich our lives more than we can ever imagine. We are truly blessed! One thing is for sure, those who truly die in the Lord will have eternal rest in heaven. Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord, is the death of His saints.”

She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; 1 brother; 1 grandson; and 2 great grandchildren

Joyce is survived by her four children, Melody (Jerry) Rutherford, Missy (Marty) Hobbs, Melinda Rogers, and Timothy (Gina) Hopkins; 7 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren with a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Prayer:

Gracious Lord, hear our prayer during our time of mourning. We look to you with faith that all who trust in you will share in your resurrection. We thank you that our mother is now in your presence, free from pain, suffering and tears. Help us to continue to love and follow you in anticipation of the hope of heaven. May we cherish the memory of our mother as a testimony of your grace and mercy. May we persevere to the day when Jesus will return and we will enjoy the fullness of your promises for eternity. In Jesus name, Amen.

II Timothy 4:7-8

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”