Bestsy Ruth Ross Hopkins

ANDERSON – Betsy Ruth Ross Hopkins, of 108 Henry Avenue, died Monday, October 4, 2010 at AnMed Health Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Ray Hopkins.

Born January 9, 1930 in Columbia, SC, she was the daughter of the late Robert Marvin and Lena Mae Gilmer Ross. She was a 1947 graduate of Liberty High School where she was a cheerleader for the football team. A Registered Nurse, she was a graduate of Anderson Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and worked at Anderson Hospital after graduation. She was office nurse for Dr. Jimmy Pennell for many years and retired in 1992 as school nurse for School District #4 after 22 years service.

Mrs. Hopkins was an active volunteer in many organizations including the Anderson Free Clinic, Haven of Rest, Hospice of the Upstate, Clowns for Christ Ministry, mission trips to Honduras with Baptist Medical and Dental Mission International, mission trips to Kentucky and South Dakota, and plant nurse at Foundry & Steel, Inc. and Owens Corning Fiberglas, working closely with Dr. David Kyle, Plant Doctor.

A former member of Garner Memorial Baptist Church, she served as President of Forever Young Senior Group, Sunday School teacher and director, W.M.U. director, Vacation Bible School director, church decorating committee, and wherever else she was needed. She was also active with Saluda Baptist Association, serving on the Senior Adult Council, and in various W.M.U. responsibilities on the association and state levels. Mrs. Hopkins more recently became a member of Pope Drive Baptist Church and was a member of the Evelyn King Sunday School Class and the Young at Heart Senior Group. She had a beautiful voice and loved to sing in church choirs and sang many beautiful solos in churches in the surrounding area.

Betsy loved to travel with her husband, children, and grandchildren, traveling on several occasions to the British Isles, including Scotland, where she researched her Ross family tree. She and her family also traveled to Alaska, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and throughout the U.S. and Canada, including a train tour through the Canadian Rockies. Her favorite places were Yellowstone National Park and Newfoundland. Her most recent travels included a beach trip with numerous friends and a trip to Kennedy Space Center to view one of the last shuttle launches.

She is survived by two daughters, Janis Rae Hopkins Farmer and her husband, Billy of Walnut Grove, GA, and Dale Mishale Hopkins Roberts and her husband, Ron of Cullman, AL; three grandchildren, Stefen, Kristin, and Alena Roberts of Cullman, AL; sisters-in-law, Mildred Brown Hopkins, Joyce Fields Hopkins, Tina Patterson Hopkins, Harriet Hopkins Ramey and her husband, Johnnie, and Judy Hopkins Holland; brother-in-law, Toddy Hopkins and his wife, Peggy McKinley Hopkins; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Leonard Ross and Homer Ross, and three sisters, Evelyn Smith, Doris “Fuz” Leverette, and Marjorie Burgess.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 6, 2010 at Sullivan-King Mortuary, Northeast Chapel, conducted by Dr. Jack Couch and Rev. Mack Tester. Entombment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Wednesday at the mortuary, 3205 North Highway 81, Anderson. The family is at the residence.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Haven of Rest Ministries, P.O. Box 466, Anderson, SC 29622 or to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.

SULLIVAN-KING MORTUARY, NORTHEAST CHAPEL

www.sullivanking.com