Hopkins, Thomas

Thomas Hopkins, age 82 of Carolina Trace, Sanford passed away on Monday, November 1, 2010 at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, NC. Born on January 23, 1928 in New Castle, PA to the late David Hopkins and Margaret Hitchings Hopkins. He was a veteran of his country and served in the United States Navy. He attended Butler University for 3 one space½ years and later graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelors Degree and received his Masters degree from Western Michigan. He was a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and was a lifetime member of the Elks. He retired from General Motors in 1993 after a 33 year career in Public Relations and as an Executive Writer, serving in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, New York, New York and Detroit, MI. After he retired from GM he moved to Carolina Trace in Sanford from Birmingham, MI in 1993. He was a volunteer at Habitat for Birds in Sanford and also volunteered for the Salvation Army. He was a member of the Carolina Trace Country Club in Sanford. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Roberta Hoffner Hopkins of Sanford, NC. Three daughters: Christy Johnson and husband Doug of Mableton, GA; Carla McIntosh and husband Doug of York, PA; and Nancy Freibott and husband Mark of St. Petersburg, FL. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Quinn Neidig and husband Joe of Brooklyn, NY; Rachel Scott and husband Chris of Powder Springs, GA; Maggie Johnson of Smyrna, GA; Marybeth Freibott of St. Petersburg, FL; and Thomas Hopkins McIntosh of Sanford, NC., and one great-grandson Jordan Taylor. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his twin brother, a brother and one sister. Funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Luke UMC in Sanford, NC with Rev. Dr. Gene Cobb and Rev. Suzanne Cobb officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday, November 4, 2010 from 4-6 p.m. at Miller-Boles Funeral Home in Sanford. Memorial contributions may be made to: Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army or to St. Luke United Methodist Church. Miller-Boles Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Sanford is serving the family.