Helen Joyce Hopkins

Helen Joyce Hudgens Hopkins of Morristown Tennessee formerly of White Pine Tennessee entered peacefully into eternal rest Sunday, December 27, 2020 with her family by her side. She was born February 25, 1937 in New Castle, Indiana to James and Maude Hudgens who preceded her in death. Helen’s family later moved to Morristown where she grew up in the Fernwood Community. She was saved on a Tuesday night in October 1949, in the “little church by the side of the road,” Fernwood Baptist. She was a charter member of Sartain Springs Missionary Baptist Church where she served as Sunday School teacher and pianist in various capacities for fifty years. She and her husband J.T. enjoyed working with the youth choir for many years. Helen attended singing schools as a young girl and learned to sing shape notes or Do Re Mi’s. Helen instilled in her children and grandchildren the love of God, family, the church, reading and music, teaching them four part harmony. Her greatest joy was singing with them in church and anytime the family would gather. She often said “My children are my Jewels”. Mom proved that through daily work and care for her family. She sewed for her girls and always had her husband and son’s clothes pressed and ready. She worked part time for the Jefferson County School System as substitute teacher and cafeteria staff and later attended Walters State Community College. Mom loved to travel and could name exact dates and all the places she had visited. She loved cause for celebration, never forgetting a birthday or special achievement. “Her children arise up and call her blessed, her husband also; and he praiseth her.” Proverbs 31:28 She is preceded in death by brothers J.D. and Bill Hudgens and sister Joan Green, father and mother-in-law William and Pearl Hopkins. Brothers and sisters-in-law, Bernard and Marshall Hopkins, Howard Hill, Virginia Greene and Bobbie and Louise Hopkins. Helen was preceded in death October 16, 2020 by her dear, beloved husband of sixty-six years, J.T.Hopkins. She is survived by daughters Carolyn (Rev. Don) Holt, Judy (Rev. Dennis) Alder, Loretta (Alan) Messer, and son, Rev. Philip (Emily)Hopkins. Grandchildren: Charissa Holt Baskette, Nathan (Karen) Holt, Rev. Aaron (Chasa) Alder, Andrew Alder, Adam Alder, Leigha Messer, and Kaitlyn and Abbey Hopkins. Great grandchildren: John Dean And Carianna Baskette, Jacob and Caleb Holt, and Allie and Kylie Alder. Sister Rosemary (Wayne) White, brothers and sisters-in-law Alton Green, Ethel Hudgens, Coy, Douglas, and Fred (Margaret) Hopkins, Horace Greene, Sarah (Escoe) Smith, Ethel Hill and Betty Hopkins and many beloved nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Sartain Springs Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Don Holt, Rev. Dennis Alder, Rev. Philip Hopkins, Alan Messer and Pastor, Rev. Roger Porter officiating. Graveside internment service will follow at Sartain Springs cemetery with Rev. Aaron Alder and Rev. Roger Porter, pastor officiating. Pallbearers will be her grandsons and great grandsons. The body will lie in state 3:00 until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 30, 2020 at the church. A heartfelt thank you to all healthcare professionals who have cared for our mother the last few years. Special thanks to granddaughter FNP Charissa Holt Baskette and to Nurse Sue Snypes of Admedisys Home Health who provided loving care and became mom’s dear friend. In consideration of the health and safety of all those attending the services, Farrar Funeral Home strongly encourages all CDC guidelines be followed, including the use of face masks. Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home, Jefferson City, 865-475-3892 www.farrarfuneralhome.com