Betty Jane Hopkins, devoted wife & mother, passed away at the age of 89 on Monday, October 7, 2019.
She was born June 12, 1930 to William Howard & Alma Backus Fidler in Anamoriah, WV. Betty’s eldest daughter Vickie preceded her in death & also her husband Bill of almost 70 years. Along with many family members, she is survived by Vickie’s husband Sam Kay & Betty’s sisters Barbara Pryor & Nancy Parr.
Betty was active in the Stephen Foster Singers of St Albans High School & participated in several musical productions. She was accepted into the NY Julliard School of Music, but rather than attending, she married William C Hopkins, Jr on her 18th birthday. They soon began their fun-filled, adventurous life to include 5 daughters Vickie, Sherrie, Debbie (Jim Harrison), Terrie (Parrish McKittrick) & Barbie (Dr Jesse Ehrlich). A son, William Curtis Hopkins III was stillborn. Having missed her senior year of high school Betty was awarded her diploma by attending night school. She lived a full & colorful life of beauty & grace, and was often a warm hostess to family gatherings & prestigious party events.
Many family hours were enjoyed around the piano to sing as she played, & numerous memorable trips she planned with the Pullen family were exciting times in the family motor home. In 1977 daughter Terrie was crowned WV Strawberry Queen & Betty & Bill were received by President Jimmy Carter at the White House. They were promenaded as royalty in the Strawberry Festival’s grand parade where Betty & her parents also often paraded their Tennessee Walker horses.
Betty leaves a legacy of strong commitment to the meaning of family that also includes 10 grandchildren & 22 great-grandchildren. The family wishes to thank all the extended family members & Hospice aides who brightened her life during her long illness.
She resided in The Villages, FL with Bill after a lifelong journey of faithful support to his business that required extensive travel. Visitation will be held Friday, October 18 at Harding Funeral Home, Poca, WV from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm with an intimate service to follow on Saturday at Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens in Cross Lanes, WV at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hospice Vitas, 127 N Bay St., Suite 200, Eustis FL 32726.
