Mr. Ernest Hopkins, Sr., son of the late Willie and Ossie Smith Hopkins, was born on December 22, 1932, in Dorchester County, South Carolina. He departed this life on Friday, May 21, 2010, at 7:08 a.m. at the St. George Health Care Center after an extended illness.

Ernest who most fondly known as "Hop," was a member of the St. Mark Baptist Church where one of his passions was singing. He attended the public schools in Dorchester County. He was formerly employed by the Department of Transportation of South Carolina.

Ernest was joined in Holy Matrimony to Margaret Primus on September 24, 1955 and to this union, five children were born. He will truly be missed by his family and friends.

He leaves to cherish his loving memories: his devoted wife, Margaret Hopkins of St. George, South Carolina; one daughter, Evelyn Ruth of Reevesville, South Carolina; four sons, Arnold (Samantha) Hopkins of Florida, Ernest Hopkins, Jr. of Florida, Kenneth (Desiree) Hopkins of Spring Valley, New York, Wayne (Wanda) Hopkins of Mt. Vernon, New York, and one step-son, Abram Primus of Germantown, Maryland; one sister, Nellie (Willie) Risher of Reevesville, South Carolina; two brothers, Harold Hopkins of St. George, South Carolina and James Hopkins of Phoenix, Arizona; additional sisters and brother-in-law, Dorothy Lincoln of New Jersey, Dorothy Hopkins of New York and Arthur Gardner of St. George, South Carolina; sixteen grandchildren, Latoya, Deniece, Rane, Lakisha, Demira, Talia, Jeremy, Arnold, Jr., Julian, Maxwell, Christina, Dasha, Devon, Danielle, Destiny, and Alleya; four great-grandchildren, Chris, Taylor, Debi and Kellen; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.