Howard Samuel Hopkins

Howard Samuel Hopkins, 80, passed away on May 25, 2023 at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, NC, from complications with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). 

He was the son of the late Bartow Hopkins and Pansy Armstrong Hopkins, he was born March 4, 1943 in Franklin, North Carolina. Howard was also preceded in death by a brother, James Ellis Hopkins.

Howard is survived by his companion and bestfriend of  20 years, Shirley Parsons Bolus; his four children and their mother, Eric Hopkins and his wife, Sabrina; Lynne Hopkins Gobbo and her husband, Eliseo; Debbie Hopkins Fulcher, Kelly Hopkins and Teresa Hopkins; his sister Barbara Sue Hopkins; 7 grandchildren, Brandon Hopkins, Cameron Hopkins, Jordan Hopkins, Stefanie Gobbo, Alex Gobbo, Matthew Fulcher, and Dominic Fida; and one great grandchild, Elliot Hopkins.

Howard raised his family in parts of Charlotte, Waxhaw and Matthews, NC. He loved the ocean and the sunshine and enjoyed taking many vacations with his family to the beach and to Disneyworld.  He also especially loved playing tennis with his son, Eric. Howard loved to read and learn about places around the world and he would enjoy sitting in his recliner with a good cup of coffee reading the encyclopedia. Many of his family and friends remember how he was a talented mechanic and that he was always ready to help if you had car troubles and he could fix just about anything.

One of Howard’s passions was singing, especially Karaoke with his friends.  Howard was known for his kind, generous personality for which he will always be remembered. Howard and Shirley often traveled when his health permitted and attended many wonderful functions together. They enjoyed dancing and being with their friends at the beach; trips to Texas to visit Shirley’s son, Mark and the grand kids. He also enjoyed many wonderful cruises, and the Moose Lodge every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday for Karaoke.

A Memorial service will be 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 10th at Withers & Whisenant Funeral Home. The Family will speak to guest following the service.

Online condolences may be made at: www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com 

Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, NC (704) 864-5144 is serving the family.