Ted Hopkins of Madison, 85, passed away on Friday, October 27th at Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, AL.
Ted was born on April 4th, 1938 in Bremen, Alabama to Joseph T. and Iva Hopkins. He was the 6th of 8 children, having 3 brothers and 4 sisters. Ted spent a few of his early years in Alabama before moving to West Virginia where he remained through his childhood and teenage years. He enjoyed playing baseball and basketball with his brothers and friends, and spent his time riding bikes and exploring the hills and mountains around the coal-mining town of Pax, West Virginia. He delivered newspapers in the warmer months to earn extra money when he wasn’t in school. After graduating from Pax High School, Ted enlisted in the US Air Force where he began his career and life of service. He served his country from 1956 to 1976, where he was assigned to the Air Force’s Civil Engineering Squadron. As an Engineering Technician, his responsibilities included providing Civil Engineering and surveying support to US Air Base runways, roads, and other structures. Ted spent 2 tours of duty in Southeast Asia supporting the Vietnam War effort, and received multiple decorations for his time in the service, including 2 Vietnam Service Medals (VSMs) and multiple other decorations such as the Meritorious Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, and Air Force Longevity Service Medal. He retired from the service in 1976, going on to earn an Undergraduate Degree from Valdosta State University and Masters Degree from New Orleans Theological Baptist Seminary. Accepting God’s calling into the ministry, he served his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as Minister of Education and Associate Pastor with 3 different Church Families: Philadelphia Baptist Church in Smith’s Station, AL, First Baptist Church of Blakely, GA, and First Baptist Church of Hinesville, GA. Ted retired from the ministry in 2003 and moved to Northern Alabama where he could be close to his children and grandchildren.
Ted married the love of his life, Juanita Smith from Moultrie, GA, in June of 1960. They spent their early years serving our country, raising a family, and traveling across the US and Europe as Ted’s Air Force duty stations changed. After retiring from the Air Force, Ted and Nita followed the Lord’s calling, serving their community and church families for over twenty-two years. They were well-seasoned travelers, making many friends in Georgia, Ohio, France, Florida, California, and Alabama. Together, they formed a partnership of service to our country, their church families, their communities, and ultimately their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ted and Nita deeply loved each other and were blessed to welcome 3 children into the world, Angie, Cheryl, and John. In June of 2023, Ted and Nita celebrated over 6 decades of marriage, a life-time achievement of dedication to each other and their family.
Ted is preceded in death by his parents, JT and Iva Hopkins. He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years, Juanita Smith Hopkins; daughter, Angela (Clyde, deceased) Spurlock; daughter, Cheryl (Keith) Nichols; son, John (Misti) Hopkins; brother, William Hopkins; brother, Huey Hopkins; sister, Carolyn Hruby; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.
