Joyce Kirgan Hopkins, 93, of Silsbee died May 7th, 2012 at her home. She was born on November 15, 1918 in Fairfield, Texas, the 10th child of Eugenia Childs Kirgan and Lee Colby Kirgan. Her twin sister, Joy Gleason of Dallas, preceded her in death at the age of 90. Joyce married Newton Hopkins April 6th, 1946. She and Newton were married 63 years when he passed away in February, 2009.
A 1940 graduate of Texas State College for Women (currently known as Texas Women's University), Mrs. Hopkins began her teaching career in new London, Texas. She taught 2nd grade and 5th grade in the Silsbee Independent School District until retirement. Joyce brought the first New Orleans style snow cone business to the Silsbee area around 1976. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Silsbee for 63 years. Mrs. Hopkins and her husband enjoyed gardening and developing a bird sanctuary at their home. Because of her family background as a pioneer newspaper family in Texas, she maintained a keen interest in current events and politics.
Joyce is remembered in love by her children Joy Crenshaw and husband Will of Beaumont, Jane Lakey and husband Robert of Silsbee, Newton Hopkins Jr. of Silsbee and Lynn McKim and husband Jimmy of Silsbee and her grandchildren, Heather Petkovsek and husband Mark, Will Crenshaw and fiancé' Beverly Meehan, Casey Crenshaw and wife Stacey, Colby Crenshaw and wife Gina, Eugenia Brotherton and husband Greg, Newton Hopkins III and wife Monica, Kirgan Hopkins, Caroline Landry and husband Bryce, James McKim IV and wife Lauren and Elizabeth McKim. She is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren with two more due this summer.
Her style and grace brought beauty to all that she did - a vase of flowers, a table setting, a scarf on her dress. She faithfully instructed the important truths of life to children in her classroom and in her home. Joyce taught about the beauty in nature, to be discerning, to have a lifelong love of learning and reading, the importance of manners, to be gracious, respectful and honest; lessons that serve us well in life. She will be remembered for her deep love for her family, her endearing smile and graciousness that drew people to her.
Joyce's quiet but strong faith sustained her through her long life. In her last weeks, she was comforted by old hymns and by readings of Psalm 103, her favorite Psalm. The family wishes to thank the loving caretakers who provided extraordinary support, prayers and daily readings of her scriptures to her.
A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, May 11th, 2012, from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Farmer Funeral Home, 415 N. 4th Street in Silsbee.
A graveside service will be at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 12, 2012 at R S Farmer Memorial Cemetery in the 600 block of S. 3rd Street in Silsbee.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Silsbee, 350 Hwy 96 S, Silsbee, TX 77656, Ice House Museum, 818 Ernest Avenue, Silsbee, TX 77656 or the Silsbee Public Library, 295 N 4th Street, Silsbee, TX 77656.
