MARGARET ELIZABETH (BETTY) AGNEW HOPKINS

Educator and Community Leader Dies 

Betty Agnew Hopkins, age 88, was called home to be with the Lord on February 19, 2012, surrounded by her family.  The widow of J. Drayton Hopkins, she was a native of Starr, SC, and a daughter of the late Izetta  Pruitt Agnew and Edwin Hugh Agnew.  She made her residence at the home she loved so much, The Hopkins Farm, located at 3717 Fork Shoals Road, Simpsonville, SC.

Mrs. Hopkins was a very devoted wife and mother.   She was a graduate of Winthrop College with a B.S. degree in Business and a Masters degree in Teaching Arts.  Mrs. Hopkins taught Business Education and Advanced Placement English for many years at Ellen Woodside and Woodmont High School.  She served as chair of the English Department, senior class sponsor, and newspaper advisor, among other school related responsibilities.  Her memberships were numerous and she was an active and devoted member until her health conditions overruled.   Mrs. Hopkins was a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Pi Gamma Mu; a charter member of Ep-silon Sigma Alpha sorority; charter member of Greenville Woman’s Club; Past President of Fork Shoals Elementary School PTA; Past President of Ellen Woodside High School. PTA; served as Election Ballot Box Poll Manager; District Census Leader; March of Dimes district coordinator; Life member of Fountain Inn Music Club; and Life member of Clemson University IPTAY.  She was a 4-H leader for many years, as well as church youth group sponsor. 

An active member of Fountain Inn Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Hopkins served as Women of the Church President, and was honored as a Life member of Presbyterian Women.  She was a circle leader, and during her lifetime, she taught Sunday School for over 50 years. 

She is listed in SC Lives, The Palmetto Who’s Who,  and Marquis’ Who’s Who of American Women.  Mrs. Hopkins was a member of the Nathaniel Greene Chapter of the DAR for 65 years where she served in numerous capacities including Regent and State Treasurer.  A true southern lady and admired for her graciousness, wit and leadership, Mrs. Hopkins worked closely with her husband on their farming operation.  Her interests were abundant and included reading, gardening, history, genealogy, tax preparation, and classical, religious, and operatic art and music.  Antiques and collectables were also of interest.  Having traveled abroad extensively, Mrs. Hopkins enjoyed sharing and writing stories of her travels with others. She wrote children’s literature and received awards for her submissions for publication.  Adored and cherished by her family and friends, Mrs. Hopkins was known for her unselfishness--always caring and helping others.  She loved life, and loved her Lord and His creation, especially the farm, birds, flowers, and all the miracles of nature.  She was devoted to conservation and being a good steward of your gifts and talents.  Mrs. Hopkins read her Bible daily and gained great strength and comfort from the Lord and His Holy Word.  She will be remembered as a devoted and selfless wife and mother, for her beautiful smile, twinkling eyes, strength of character, and her teaching of morals and values.  Many of her former students have shared with her children the positive impact she had on their lives.  Her motto was, “Always do your best and you can be proud,” as well as, “God first, others second, self last.”

Mrs. Hopkins is survived by 4 children:  Betty Hopkins Roshto, John Drayton Hopkins, Jr. (Carol), and Jane Knight Hopkins, all of Simpsonville; and Hugh Agnew Hopkins (Lee Ann) of Charlotte, NC; 4 grandchildren, Amanda Agnew Roshto, Caroline Elizabeth Hopkins, John Drayton Hopkins, III, and Margaret Louise Hopkins Taylor;  2 sisters, Izetta Agnew Camp (Don) of Bakersfield, CA and Floride Agnew Findley (Jimmy) of Easley, SC;  many nieces and nephews and her loving personal assistant Mary Sitton Brown. 

She was pre-deceased by her 3 brothers, Edwin Hugh Agnew, John C. Pruitt Agnew, and Judge E. Harry Agnew.

A Service Honoring and Celebrating the life of Mrs. Hopkins will be held Thursday, February 23, 2012, at 11 AM at the Fountain Inn Presbyterian Church, with entombment to follow at the Cannon Memorial Park Mausoleum.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening at their homeplace, The Hopkins Farm, from 5 PM until 7 PM.    Guests are asked to please use the North Entrance.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hopkins Family Garden Endowment, SC State Botanical Garden, PO Box 1889, Clemson, SC 29633-1889.

A message of condolence may be sent by visiting www.mcdougaldfuneralhome.com.