Fletcher R. Hopkins was born April 5, 1930 in Sandy Hook, Miss., and died at his resident in Bogalusa, La., Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at the age of 86. He leaves to cherish his loving rife of 31 years, Dolores Peters Hopkins. To this union, no children were born.

Once married to Helen Galloway, who preceded him in death, and unto that union, three children were born, Margaret Dunbar, Karyn H. Mageee and Michelle Hopkins, all of Bogalusa, La.

He leaves six biological grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Also, 11 step-grandchildren, one great grand; one sister, Clemetine of Bogalusa, La.; three brothers, Austin of Orlando, Fla., William (Annie) of Hattiesburg, Miss. and John of Bogalusa; two special nephews, John Ward and Donald Ward, whom he loved as his own; two step-sons, Thaddis Pouncey (Twanita) of Lithonia, Ga., whom he felt indebted to for all of the acts of loving kindness shown to him; one stepdaughter, Margie Whitfield (Artis) of Pearl River, La; and stepson, O.C. Smith of Slidell, La., whom he raised from 11-years old.

He owned and operated Hopkins Amoco in Bogalusa for 29 years. He also worked as a truck driver for Ozone Motor Line for 24 years. He was a hard-working man, who believed, “that if you don’t work for it, you will never get it given to you.” And if a man doesn’t work, neither shall he eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

Spiritual heritage: Fletcher was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses in 1950 in a creek in the area of Bogalusa called Mitch. He gained so much knowledge through study and training from the Richardson family, who introduced the truth about Jehovah to this area. Not many years later, he was appointed as congregation servant as they were called back then.

When the elder arrangement came into focus, he was one of the first appointed as an elder. He served as an elder and overseer of the Christian Congregation for over 26 years and the rotation of elders came into focus.

He studied at the school for Elders in New York City, where his basic training was completed.

Memorial services for Mr. Fletcher R. Hopkins takes place Saturday, April 15, 2017 in the Bogalusa High School Auditorium at 11 a.m.

There is no repass.