Darlene Hopkins

With much sadness, the Hopkins, Hemingway, Bittorie, Bailey and Wise families announce the death of their beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Despite her initial recovery from a major heart attack, the Lord called her, and the angels carried her home. Darlene Hopkins died peacefully with her loving husband, Robert (Bob) by her side, on November 5, 2025 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC.

Darlene is the third of five children and was born May 8, 1944, to Arnold Robert and Thelma Mae Kanode in Bluefield, VA. She was reared by her stepmother, Ethel Ozella Kanode, who she always knew as her “Mama”. She adored her “Daddy” and was by all accounts a true daddy’s girl until the day she died, longing to see him again in Heaven. She graduated from Pulaski High School and started a job as a florist in her hometown.

Darlene met Robert (Bobby as she called him) in 1964 at his cousin’s wedding (first kiss!) in Washington, D.C. They married June 18th, 1966. Darlene worked at the Soldier’s home and at NSA. They built their first home in 1972. Other than 3 years living in Denver, Colorado, they made Maryland their home, where they reared their 4 girls, Dreama Darlene, Candace Annette, Tamara Lynn, and Farrah Diane.

Nurturing children physically, emotionally and spiritually was Darlene's vocation and lifelong pursuit. She was a Sunday School teacher for many years and fully devoted to rearing her daughters. She became a preschool teacher at Georgetown Hill Child Care Center, starting their first-ever 2-year old nursery program. She worked at GHCC for about 10 years, forming many close and lasting relationships. Her last day as a preschool teacher was the day her oldest grandchild was born in 1999. She has spent her remaining years actively nurturing her daughters, 8 grandchildren, and her great-granddaughter in every way possible, always reminding them of the love of Jesus!

In their 2006 retirement, Darlene and Bob moved to Hilton Head Island, SC. There they built a new and relaxing life with frequent visits from children and grandchildren. Darlene enjoyed traveling with her husband to see new places and to visit friends and family. She invested her time connecting with family and friends through learning about their lives, praying for them, meeting needs where she could, and playing games (especially dominoes, which she did not like to lose!).

Darlene was an active member at Central Church for 18 years, devoting her time and energy to serving her church family well, especially in the kitchen, providing Wednesday night meals and coordinating funeral receptions, filling their bellies with love and their hearts with laughter. She started a “Young at Heart” group at the church for adults 55 years old and up. Darlene and Bob forged new and lasting friendships with friends who remained close to Darlene until her passing.

She was the embodiment of a kind soul: unwavering love, strength of spirit, and expressed unending generosity, shining the love of Jesus for all those around her to see. “Bless her little pea pickin’ heart!”

Darlene is survived by husband Robert; daughter Dreama-husband Ryan (Hemingway); daughter Candace-husband Chuck (Bittorie); daughter Tamara-husband Bart (Bailey); daughter Farrah-husband John (Wise); grandchildren, who lovingly knew her as MomMom or Grandma, Keegan-wife Cat (Hemingway), Colin (Hemingway), Colby and Caley (Bittorie), Brayden and Trenton (Bailey), and Alexis and Alyssa (Wise); great-granddaughter Sage (Hemingway); and sister Doris-husband Jim (Reynolds).

While she will be missed and cherished daily, her enduring legacy—a foundation of kindness, vital lessons, and a wellspring of unconditional love—will forever define OUR lives.

Funeral services for Darlene Hopkins will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, November 15, 2025 at the Central Church, 975 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC with burial to follow at Six Oaks Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until the hour of the service at Central Church.