Irene Hopkins

Irene Jolinda Hopkins, daughter of Arnold and Irene Ortiz Lopez, was born on January 14, 1937 in San Bernardino, California. She departed this life Thursday, April 19, 2018 in Victoria, Texas at the age of eighty-one years, three months, and five days. On June 18, 1960, Irene was united in marriage to James Allen Hopkins, and to this union three children were born. Her parents; a brother, Edward Lopez; and a sister, Louise Hinojosa, preceded her in death. She is survived by her husband, Jim Hopkins; children Jim Hopkins and wife Renee, Jolinda Hopkins and husband David Lear, and Andrew Hopkins and wife Laura Solkey; her siblings, Pola Bouton, Sylvia Roberts, Jolinda Marquez, and husband Ernest, Tina Murphy and husband John, Victor Lopez and wife Liz, Henrietta Hammerlund and husband Greg, Tom Lopez, Robert Lopez and wife Sally, Eugene Lopez and wife Marie, Liz Ibarra, Gilbert Lopez and wife Yvette, and William Lopez; a step grandson, Joseph Solkey; as well as a host of other relatives and many dear friends. Irene spent her younger years living in San Bernardino and moved to Missouri following her marriage to Jim. She received her Master’s in Education from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. She devoted her life to teaching children in many elementary schools in California and Missouri. She spent most of her forty-year career in the Rockwood School District in St. Louis County and was awarded the Rose Award as a Most Outstanding Educator in the District. She also served as a Student Teacher Instructor for the University of Missouri. In her spare time, Irene enjoyed playing tennis, sewing, gardening, working with stained glass, and later in life, she learned to play piano. Irene was baptized into the Catholic Church as an infant and was a member of Holy Infant Catholic Church in Ballwin, Missouri, where she served on the Parish Council. St. Anthony Catholic Church in Camdenton, Missouri was her second church. Irene was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and accomplishments and will treasure the many wonderful memories she has created for her family and many dear friends. A visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 25, 2018 from 5-7:00 p.m. in the Allee -Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri. A Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday evening in the funeral home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 26, 2018 in St. Anthony Catholic Church, Camdenton, Missouri. Burial will follow in the Conway Cemetery, Osage Beach, Missouri In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missouri Botanical Gardens or to the Alzheimers Association and mail to Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, 15 Clint Avenue, Camdenton, Missouri 65020 Arrangements are under the direction of Allee-Holman-Howe Funeral Home, Camdenton, Missouri.