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Jonell Hopkins
June 29, 1934 — May 12, 2024
Holly
HOPKINS, Jonell - Age 89, of Holly, passed away Sunday, May 12, 2024. Funeral services will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at Grace Missionary Baptist Church, 878 Milford Road, Holly. Pastor Michael Jackman and Pastor Dan Bowman officiating. Burial in Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, 9:30 AM Thursday, May 16, 2024. Visitation will be held at the church Wednesday from 10:00 AM until the time of the service. Those desiring may make contributions to Gideon's International.
Jonell was born June 29, 1934 in Flint, the daughter of Romie and Frances (Self) Fortner. She was a 1952 graduate of Flint Central High School. She married Bobby Gene Hopkins April 2, 1955 in Grand Prairie, TX. She and Bob resided in Holly since 1968.
Our Lord chose Jonell to be His daughter before the creation of the world and she lived out her life serving Him by serving everyone around her. She touched lives through her endless hospitality, prioritizing friendship, and serving 20 years as a bus driver for Holly Schools.
In the spring of 1965, Jonell and Bob started a mission out of the Liberty Baptist Church which became Grace Missionary Baptist Church of Holly, MI. She served faithfully as pastor’s wife, Sunday School teacher, piano player, church custodian, and often cooking an abundance of food for church fellowship dinners.
Her main focus was that everyone knew her Savior. Everyone she met felt her love and she made sure they knew about the confidence and peace of eternal life that she had through Christ.
Her greatest joy in life was her family, starting with the love of her life and best friend, her husband, Bob. Their incredible love story of 69 years allowed them to build 7 buildings together and travel the world (fishing in Alaska was their favorite!) all while never leaving each other’s sides. Jonell and Bob also raised 3 incredible children whose favorite memories include the years spent at the farmhouse (avoiding the “snake”), vacations together, and the unwavering support of loving parents who served as their spiritual rock.
Her grandchildren remember themed Christmas’s (Santa Hat’s on the chickens), skiing adventures, early morning donut runs, and trips in the antique motorhome. Jonell forever loved southern cooking, animals, and all music (particularly piano playing, steel guitar, and southern yodeling).
She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Bob Hopkins; her three children Sharon (Dan) Bowman, Rob (Patti) Hopkins, and Kim (Dan) Duva. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Helen McPherson and Romie Fortner, Jr. She had 10 grandchildren, 8 great-grandchildren. Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
10:00 am - 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
Grace Missionary Baptist Church
Funeral Service
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Starts at 2:00 pm (Eastern time)
Grace Missionary Baptist Church
Graveside Service
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Starts at 9:30 am (Eastern time)
Great Lakes National Cemetery
Guestbook
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