Barbara Chapin Hopkins Jones

BARBARA CHAPIN HOPKINS JONES BIRMINGHAM AL-Barbara Chapin Hopkins Jones, 88, died Wednesday, October 6, 2010 after a long struggle with an unknown dementia. She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Richard Walton Jones, and by her parents Charles Goheen Hopkins and Elizabeth Louise Chapin Hopkins. She is survived by: her daughters, Tina Liza Jones (Eric Root) of Floyd VA, Carol Jones Guthrie of Darien, CT and Louise Jones McPhillips (Frank) of Birmingham, AL; her grandchildren Elizabeth Louise Wickline, Edward Chapin Guthrie (Hilary Bikle), Charles Danforth Guthrie, Andrew Hopkins Guthrie, James Walton McPhillips (Jennifer), Richard Alexander McPhillips, and Frank Dixon McPhillips, Jr. Barbara was born in Geneseo, NY on August 22, 1922. A 1939 graduate of Drew Seminary, a boarding school in Carmel, New York, she attended Smith College, transferring to the University of Rochester during WWII, from which she graduated in 1943 with a BA degree in psychology. She earned her Master's Degree in Library Science from the State University of New York at Geneseo, NY. Barbara and Dick were introduced as pen pals during his World War II service in Italy, becoming engaged before they actually met in person. They were married June 7th, 1947 at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Geneseo, New York. After moving to Annapolis, Maryland in 1960, Barbara served as a librarian in the public schools of Anne Arundel County for 20 years. In 1992, they retired to Gainesville, Florida and were patrons of the Harn Museum, the Gainesville Symphony Orchestra and the University of Florida "Lady Gators" Tennis team. They were intrepid travelers, touring extensively throughout the United States and around the world. Barbara organized her 40th Smith reunion as Chairman, then served as Class President at her 45th. She was also an accomplished cook, a natural athlete and a gifted gardener. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, and was above all a brilliant teacher, both in school and in the neighborhood. A private memorial service will be held, with interment at Temple Hill Cemetery, Geneseo, NY. Memorial contributions may be made to Smith College Fund for Excellence, Smith College, Northampton, MA 01063.