Marian Hopkins, 98, of Beckley passed peacefully from this earth on August 30, 2024, at the home she loved, just four days shy of her 99th birthday.
Born in Angelica, New York on September 3, 1925, 'Grammy' as she was known by her loving family was the third of four children born to Irving and Iva Veley.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Irving and Iva Veley, her husband Barker Hopkins, grandson William R. Hopkins, brothers Lester and Leland Veley, sister Inez Swarthout, and son-in-law John M. Yurick.
Marian is survived by her children William D. Hopkins and Barbara H. Yurick, daughter-in-law Beverly Hopkins, grandson Shaun Hopkins, his wife Brandy Hopkins, great-granddaughter Ellie Hopkins, grandsons Sam Yurick and Nick Yurick and his fiancé Carrie Poh, granddaughter Alice Tener and her husband Michael Tener.
The family wishes to extend their love and thanks to Becky Daughton for her exceptional devotion, caregiving, and friendship to Marian and to Sharona Reed who also provided excellent assistance and friendship during the last year of her life.
Marian grew up in Angelica and Belmont, NY. She went to beauty school and worked as a beautician for a while. She then went to Buffalo, NY with her sister Inez who worked building airplanes for WWII and Marian worked in the office of the same plant. Later she moved back to Belmont and took a job in the office of the Allegeny County Court House. It was during these years she met the love of her life, Barker Hopkins, who referred to her as 'the prettiest girl in Belmont!' It didn't take them long to know they had found 'the one' in each other.
Marian and Barker were married November 26, 1949, in Belmont and had a son William Dale Hopkins in 1950. Barker's job with the USDA Soil Conservation Service took them to Peru, NY and in 1955 their daughter Barbara was born. Barker had another promotion and transferred to Utica, NY in 1959 and then in 1965 another promotion and transfer to Beckley, WV.
A lifelong lover of the arts, Marian enjoyed playing the piano, many classics from The Great American Songbook adorning the old Wurlitzer that greeted the many visitors she welcomed to her home. In her youth, she loved dancing and roller skating.
Marian was an ever-present supporter to her children and grandchildren for all their endeavors. She loved musicals and Lawrence Welk and attended everything from ballet to punk-rock to show support and pride in her loved ones.
Marian's family was her life. Her husband and her children were the center of her world, and she maintained close relationships with her parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews throughout her lifetime even though they were hundreds of miles away. Marian enjoyed family gatherings and making meals.
Marian never stopped taking pride in her style and flare. She dressed in a classic fashionable way and her hair was always done to perfection! Her regular outings to the hairdresser remained one of her great joys even in her last years. She was a member of the Fernwood Garden Club and enjoyed all the activities associated with it, specially designing floral arrangements and wreaths.
Marian was a dedicated member of the Beckley Presbyterian Church since 1965 and was the oldest living member until her passing. Simply put, she was the best!
Visitation will be Tuesday, September 10th, 2024, from 12:00 noon until 1:00 pm at the Beckley Presbyterian Church, 203 S. Kanawha St., Beckley, WV. The funeral will follow at 1:00 pm and the burial will be directly afterwards at Sunset Memorial Park, Beckley, WV. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Melton Mortuary and Cremation Center. Visit www.meltonmortuary.com to leave expressions of sympathy to Marian's family.