Rev. Luther Noel Hopkins

Rev. Luther Noel Hopkins, 97 of Woolwine passed away Thursday morning at Blue Ridge Nursing Center in Stuart. He was born in Baltimore, MD to the late Luther J. and Bertie R. Hopkins. Rev. Hopkins was also preceded in death by his first wife, Alpha Baliles Hopkins; his second wife, Ovilla Marie Hopkins; four brothers, Elbridge Lee, Joseph Arthur, John Raymond and Samuel Alvis Hopkins and one sister; Elizabeth Ross Patterson.
He served in the Army prior to WW II and was a supervisor for Glenn L. Martin Aircraft during the war. After the war he moved to Martinsville and began working for B. L. Fisher, owner of Lee Telephone Company where he did various construction jobs, later retiring from Central Telephone Company. Rev. Hopkins was the Pastor for Smith River Church of the Brethren for over 35 ears before retiring as Pastor Emeritus. Rev. Hopkins, known as the Rose Man for giving out roses to people just to see them smile also served Patrick County as hospital Chaplain, was on the Clyde Dupin Crusade, the Social Services Board, aided in forming Safety Rope and participated in various other community services.
Rev. Hopkins is survived by one son and daughter-in-law; Kirkland N. and Linda Martin Hopkins of Stuart, two sisters and a brother-in-law; Mary Orene Powell of Eden, NC and Lucille Fay and Eugene Hundley of Eden, NC; a very special nephew, Donald Lee Boothe of Stuart; one step daughter, Rayna Hedgecock of Woolwine; two step sons, Randy Hedgecock of Martinsville and Ronny Hedgecock of Fieldale; nine step grandchildren and several step great grandchildren. Special thanks also to caregivers; Margaret Hiatt and Barbara Dalton.
Funeral services for Rev. Hopkins will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart with Rev. David Shumate and Rev. Danny Gilley officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Burial Park in Martinsville. The family will receive friends for two hours before the service and other times at the home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Smith River Church of the Brethren Cemetery Fund, c/o Marvin Gunter, 595 S. Mayo Drive, Stuart, Virginia 24171. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.moodyfuneralse

Funeral Saturday at 2:00 pm at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart
Visitation 2 hours prior to the service at the funeral home
Burial in Roselawn Burial Park