Paula Hopkins Ross, 61, passed away Wednesday, August 1, 2018, at Sanctuary Hospice House following a long-term illness. She was born December 9, 1956, in Tupelo to Grady and Eileene Hopkins. She attended the Union Grove Church of God of Prophecy in Mooreville. Paula graduated from Mooreville High School in 1974. She was a licensed Emergency Medical Technician and Intermediate Paramedic before graduating from ICC as a Registered Nurse. She received a Business Administration degree from the University of Alabama and was a licensed Health Care Administrator. Paula retired from her position as vice president of Age, Inc., a long term care nursing home chain after her health failed. Paula was recognized throughout the South as an expert in the field of geriatrics. She was a frequent speaker for the nursing home association and often worked with law firms throughout the South as an expert witness in lawsuits regarding geriatric cases.
Paula married Nelson Ross and had one daughter, Kisha, who was born November 10, 1981. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Nelson Ross; her daughter, Kisha Ross; and her mother-in-law, Della Ross.
She is survived by her father, Scott Thompson of Mantachie; her sister, Connie Hopkins Cayson (Jim) of Mooreville; brothers, Scott Hopkins of Nashville, TN, and Randy Hopkins (Paulette) of Mantachie; nephews, Maverick, Dallas, and Keeton Hopkins of Mantachie, Aaron and Casey Cayson of Mooreville, and Brandon and Justin Hopkins of Nashville, TN; niece, Kristie Denton; great-nephews, Riley and Tripp Hopkins, Bradley Cayson, and Brayden Denton; great-nieces, Eva and Emma Cayson; her special family, Rev. Wayne and Earlene Thorn and their children, Charlotte Green, the late Deborah Brown, Paul Thorn, and Melissa Thorn; many Thorn Godchildren; and Glinda Vance.
Services honoring Paula’s life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 4, at the Union Grove Church of God of Prophecy with Bro. Wayne Thorn officiating. Burial will be in the Union Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until service time Saturday at the church. McNeece-Morris Funeral Home of Mantachie is entrusted with arrangements.
Pallbearers will be Aaron Cayson, Casey Cayson, David Thompson, Paul Green, Terry Green, and Brayden Denton.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the North Mississippi Regional Center, 967 Regional Center Dr., Oxford, MS 38655; the music department at Union Grove Church of God of Prophecy, 464 Road 1650, Mooreville, MS 38857; or Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38803.
The family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the caregivers at Sanctuary Hospice House for the excellent care Paula and her family received.
