Mr. Charlie Augusta Hopkins, Sr. | Eastern North Carolina Now

   Mr. Charlie Augusta Hopkins, Sr., born November 29, 1923, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, September 4, 2012, at 300 Minuteman Lane, St. John Housing Apt. 108, Washington.

   Charlie was the eighth of nine children born to Orlando and Mattie Satterthwaite Hopkins. Charlie’s education was received in Beaufort County. There, he was a farm worker until his mid-teens. Later, he became a civilian cook on a military base. On July 29, 1945, Charlie married Mollie Lee Windley. This union yielded 13 children. Charlie with his family resumed farming, raising pigs, and producing a variety of crops. In addition, he sang bass in a community quartet.

   Years later, his back required surgery ending his days of farming. This led to the opening of a business called Charlie’s Place. For years, this place provided food and entertainment to the community. After the death of his wife, Charlie ultimately remarried. At last, Mr. Charlie acknowledged the presence of the Lord Jesus, repented of his sins, and accepted Jesus as his Savior. In Brother Charlie’s words, “Jesus will take care of that.” And He did.

   Brother Charlie leaves to cherish his memory a wife, Diane Cutler Hopkins, four daughters, Shirley Moore (Coley), Suffolk, Virginia; Evangelist Jacquelin Lawrence, Pinetown, NC; Mollie L. Hopkins and Sherry A. Hopkins, Washington, NC; six sons, Charlie A. Hopkins, Jr. (Martha), Belhaven, NC; Vernon Hopkins, Bath, NC; Willie H. Hopkins (Annie), Columbus, Georgia; Randolph L. Hopkins, Bath, NC; Dr. Ronnie Hopkins, Columbia, SC; and Terry L. Hopkins, Nashville, NC; 31 grandchildren, 34 great-grandchildren; a stepdaughter, Doris Ann Cutler; a special nephew, Willie Roger Hopkins; two sisters-in-law; five brothers-in-law, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

   Brother Charlie was preceded in death by his parents Orlando and Mattie Satterthwaite Hopkins; first wife Missionary Mollie _Windley Hopkins; three daughters, Helen Marie Hopkins, Evelyn Hopkins Thomas and Shirley Collins Spencer; one son, John William Hopkins; two grandsons, Maurice Lawrence and Jonathan Hopkins; two great-grandsons, Deshawn Peele and Devonte Norman; and eight siblings, Willie Hopkins, Thurman Hopkins, Marion Corprew, Lottie Mae Carter, Mack Hopkins, Classie Hopkins, Roger Hopkins, and Moses Hopkins.

   The family is receiving friends at the home of Charlie Hopkins, Jr., 3455 Pungo Creek Road, Pinetown. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 8, 2012, at Word of Life Worship Center, 4449 Market Street Ext., Washington, NC. Bonner Street Funeral Home, Bonner Street, Washington, is in charge of arrangements.