December 3, 1951 - April 27, 2024
Rickie Hopkins, 72, of Buena, NJ, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Saturday, April 27, 2024 after battling liver disease for just over a year.
Rick was born on December 3, 1951, to Leon and Sue Hopkins in Humbolt,TN. He often shared many fond memories of working at Daylight Donuts as a teenager, enjoying the mentorship of Mr. Day. A 1969 graduate of Peabody High School in Trenton, TN, Rick went on to study at Union University in Jackson, TN, before joining the Air Force in 1970 and attaining the rank of Sergeant.
Rick trained as a jet engine mechanic, initially stationed in Columbus, MS and later Ubon, Thailand. Rick served in the Air Force until 1976. During his time in the service, he married Rita Mae Tilley of Ethelsville, AL, in 1971. He went on to graduate from Dallas Baptist College in 1978 and then attend Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Throughout his working years, Rick pursued many interests from Christian radio DJ, to real estate agent, to Department of Family and Children Services case worker. But his most rewarding work was as pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Vernon, AL, and Harville Baptist Church in Statesboro, GA. During his time at Harville, he also worked as a district manager for Suburban Propane in Statesboro, GA, eventually moving to a regional sales position for propane appliances with Gardner Marsh in Florence, SC. Rick retired from this position in 2014.
Rick married Katherine Frances Ewing in 2004, settling in Greenwood, SC before moving to Buena, NJ, in 2018. During retirement, Rick enjoyed spending time with family, magnet fishing, reconnecting with far-flung friends on Facebook, woodworking on his own projects or teaching kids and grandkids how to use tools, and volunteering at the Veterans Clinic in Vineland, NJ. He also started a NJ chapter for military veterans who had served in Ubon, Thailand.
Rick attended Calvary Chapel in Vineland until his health kept him homebound, but he continued to faithfully enjoy livestream services from his children’s churches each Sunday. Throughout multiple medical procedures and hospitalizations over the past year, Rick maintained a positive outlook. He often said he knew God had a plan and that he did not want to miss what He had for him through this situation. Rick became friends with and encouraged many of the people on his health care team.
Rick was preceded in death by his father Leon Hopkins and mother Sue Hopkins, as well as his stepbrother James “Pee Wee” Hopkins.
Rick is survived by his first wife Rita Hopkins and their four children and their spouses along with three grandchildren: Elisabeth and Daniel Brahn; Sarah and Giovanni DiDonato; Beverly and Dustin Barr of Statesboro, and their sons Silas and Elliott; and Jesse and Megan Hopkins of Statesboro, and their daughter Avery.
Rick is survived by his second wife Kate Hopkins and her three children and their spouses Kathy and Bill Whildon and their daughters Casey Chinski and Autumn as well as Casey’s husband Josh Chinski and their son Tucker; Robert and Michelle Knapp and their children Robert Jr. and Bella; and Joe and Julie Knapp.
Rick is also survived by stepsiblings: Barbara Griggs, Frances and Roy Samples, Pam and Charles Cox, and Milton “Snowball” and Pam Hopkins. He is also survived by his father’s wife, Lela Hopkins, for whom he had the highest regard.
Rick will be laid to rest on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 in a private ceremony at Parkers Crossing Veterans Cemetery in Wildersville, TN.
Please visit www.wbfuneralhome.com to send online condolences to the family. Arrangements are by the Wainwright-Bernhardt Funeral Home, Vineland, New Jersey.
