Sympathy Saturday will be where I share the obituaries and my condolences for members of my family tree who passed recently. When you get to be a certain age, you begin to read the obituaries every day. As the days go by, you read about more and more of your friends and family members who have died. You compare their age to your own and get a jolt. "That could have been me."
For genealogists, checking obituaries and visiting cemeteries is as normal as breathing. I learn so much from an obituary, i.e., maiden names, parents' names; children's' and grandchildren's' names, funeral and burial locations, sometimes even a cause of death. I want to learn these things not for any purpose but to put it on the family tree for future generations to see and learn about the family that went before them. I admit, most of these relatives I have never met, but I think it is important to share that they were here on this Earth, and they were important.
So I am signed up with at least three funerals homes from Swainsboro, Vidalia, and Wrightsville to get daily notices of obituaries sent to my email. Every day, I peruse them and with the help of the family tree, figure out who is related to me and add any new information to the tree. Some weeks there are several, and some weeks there are none. This week, I only have one to share.
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Mr. Dennis Hopkins, 55, of Swainsboro, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
He was born in Swainsboro on September 30, 1969, to Edward Hopkins and Trannie Wilkerson Hopkins. He was preceded in death by his brother, Donald Hopkins.
Dennis was one of a kind. He was a determined man, hardheaded, stubborn, set in his ways, but he was also the love of my life. He stole my heart when I was 14 years old, and he never turned it loose. He was smart, funny, charming and the most handsome thing I had ever seen. He was my heart. He loved to fish, hunt, and play his guitar and sing. The Lord knows he was great at that. We traveled many miles for him to play and sing over the years. We had good times over the years, but we also had tough times, but we fought our way through everything that came along. We had Heather and Cody, and he taught them everything he could so that they would be able to stand on their own. I have to say he was a wonderful daddy (Deddy). He loved our babies with everything he had. He would have followed them to the ends of the earth. He coached them in ball, taught Cody how to play the guitar, how to change their oil and tires, taught Cody how to operate big machinery before he even had a license to drive. He taught them everything he could. When the grandbabies started coming you could just see his heart explode, he loved them so much. He always smiled the most when they were around.
Dennis fought a long hard battle for many years. The diabetes took it’s toll on his body so that over time he just got wore down. The last few years were exceptionally hard on him when he had his amputations. Within 3 months, he lost both his hands and his right foot. He was a fighter, and he fought so hard, but I do not think he really smiled again after that. Life got so hard for him. He would push through the best he could, but I often wondered if he was doing it for himself or for us. He was tired and had been for quite a while.
Dennis Hopkins, you were the love of my life. I have loved you since day one and I always will. I have seen you fight and struggle for so long, now it is time for you to rest. You gave it everything you had and then some. You taught our babies everything you could and for that I am so grateful. You shaped them into the wonderful adults they are and the most amazing parents. You will always have my heart, and you will always be with me. There will never be a time that I do something that I will not think of you. Your fight is over and for us the days to come will be extremely hard, but we also know you are at peace. You go play that guitar in heaven for you are whole again now and keep an eye on us down here. I love you; I always have and always will. Love you bunches, Susan.
Mr. Hopkins is survived by his wife of 36 years, Susan Wilson Hopkins of Swainsboro; parents, Edward & Trannie Hopkins of Swainsboro; son, Cody Hopkins (Chelsea) of Swainsboro; daughter, Heather Murry (Matt) of Swainsboro; grandchildren, Noah Hopkins, Mason Murry, Aubri Murry, Jax Hopkins and Chase Hopkins; several , aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many friends.
Funeral services will be Sunday, February 23, 2025, 3:00 p.m. at Jesus Saves Church with Reverend Brad McKenzie officiating, assisted by Reverend Johnny Baggett and Reverend Shannon Boula.
Interment will follow at Eastbrook Cemetery and Mausoleum.
Pallbearers will be Terry Reese, Tommy White, Chris Wilkerson, Tim Wilkerson, Randy Wilkerson, Henry Wilkerson.
Honorary pallbearers will be past musicians Dennis played with over the years.
The family will receive friends Saturday, February 22, 2025, from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. at Chapman Funeral Home.
Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro is in charge of the arrangements for Mr. Dennis Hopkins, 55, of Swainsboro.
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Dennis was the husband of my 3rd cousin, 2x removed, Susan Wilson. I am related to Susan on my Page line. Our common ancestors are Solomon Page Jr (1800-1860) and Elizabeth Caroline Scoggins (1802-1880).
Please join me in offering condolences to Dennis's family and holding them in the light.
Mr. Dennis Hopkins, 55, of Swainsboro, passed away Wednesday, February 19, 2025.
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