Regina Lee Hopkins

Regina Lee Hopkins, a retired educator, passed on December 15, 2023, at the age of 64.  She lived an enduring life of love for her family.

Regina was born on December 2, 1959, in Franklin, Virginia, to the proud parents of Ben Stephen Lee and Dorothy Gooch Lee.  She was an alumnus of Southampton County High School in Courtland, Virginia and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Greensboro, NC.  She received her BS degree from NC A&T State University in Professional Biology.  Her love for Aggie Pride began when she followed her parents and found her way on East Market Street in Greensboro and became active in student politics as a volunteer and elected member of the NC A&T State University Student Government Association.

Upon graduating from NC A&T, Regina and her family departed Greensboro, NC where she relocated to Davenport, IA (Quad Cities).  She then matriculated back home to Emporia, VA where she taught in the Greensville County School System of Emporia, VA.  She would eventually raise her family for more than 30 years in Kinston, NC where she taught Biology and Physical Science in the classroom at Kinston High School, Kinston, NC and eventually retiring.  As an educator in Kinston (Lenoir County Public School System), Regina was nationally selected to evaluate and assist in writing the Biology portion of the National Praxis Core Academic Skills series (Princeton, NJ) which is used for admission into the teacher preparation program in the state of North Carolina.  She also was selected by her peers to attend numerous national science conventions in South Carolina and California.  Regina was also selected to participate in a Bio Molecular Research study program for a summer at UNC Chapel Hill.  She was also previously appointed by former State Senator Luther Jordan to serve one term on North Carolina’s Committee of Low Level Radio Waste Management.  While educating youth in the Lenoir County Public School System, she also mentored numerous youth by helping to steer them towards a college education and a better life.  She particularly favored steering youth in the direction of continuing their education at HBCU’s.  Even after high school graduation, her former students would come back every year to show their lifelong progress.  Many of the youth she mentored and taught became lifelong friends of Regina.  She helped shape the lives of her students with her passion for getting a better education and a better life on their minds and hearts.  Upon retiring, she never strayed far away from mentoring and educating youth when possible.  After relocating to Guilford County, she taught in the Guilford County School System part time while following her passion for Aggie Sports/Events.

Beyond her career, Regina was always dedicated to the spirit of Aggie Pride with her membership in the Kinston Lenoir County NC A&T Alumni Chapter as well as the National NC A&T Alumni Association.  If there was a marble shooting contest that A&T participated in chances are Regina was present.  She was an active participant of the NC A&T Aggie Athletic Foundation.  Until COVID she had the distinction of never missing Homecoming and after COVID she never missed a Homecoming until this year when she could no longer physically join her Aggie Family at the stadium.  It was at her alma mater, while both as students, she met the love of her life and they would form a forever holy matrimony.

While residing in Kinston, NC, Regina had her family as active participants and members of St. James AME Church.  Upon relocating to McLeansville, NC Regina and her husband attended Bethel AME Church (Greensboro, NC).  In her personal life, Regina was known for her warmth, friendliness, kindness, patience, having a beautiful smile and most important her commitment to her family.  She was devoted to her husband, her two sons and her family.  She could talk about her husband and two sons forever.  Regina, her mother and sister could talk on the phone or in person all day and all night.  She especially loved traveling with her husband to the mountains, the coast and new places.

Regina is survived by her loving family, her husband of 42 years, Bobby (McLeansville, NC) sons Bobby Roydel Hopkins, Jr. (Arlington, VA) and Benjamin Daryl Hopkins (Atlanta, GA); mother and father Ben and Dorothy Lee (Emporia, VA) her favorite and only sister Benita Lee Ballentine (Durham, NC); mother and father-in-law, Doris Pittman and Benny Smith (Kinston, NC);  brothers-in-law, Cedric, Eldred, Norbert and Edwin Hopkins, Warren Ballentine; nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, cousins and a special lifelong friend who she taught as a student, Lisa Mitchell Goodlett (Indian Land, SC).  The classroom, education and friendship will forever be enriched by her presence.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at Little Shiloh Baptist Church (3063 Otterdam Road Emporia, VA) on December 22, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will take place immediately after the service at the Richardson Family Cemetery.

Regina Lee Hopkins was a breast cancer survivor since 2019; however she never let cancer slow her down.  She fought a long battle but not once did she ever complain, threaten to quit treatment or showed any pain.  Even while receiving treatments, she talked with her mother, sister and sons no matter where she was or the type of treatment she was receiving. She was a fierce fighter and determined to keep going even up to the end.  Where her star ultimately shined brightest was her incredible grace in the face of adversity.  It was only fitting that when Regina passed it was in the presence of her sister and husband.  She loved never ending milkshakes and had a passion for murder mysteries.  She could watch mysteries and sip milkshakes all day and all night.  Her passing leaves a void in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her.  She will be remembered for her infectious smile, having a generous heart, being energetic, having patience, love for her family, commitment to education and her love for her alma mater.  She loved deeply her family – and she was loved.  She touched many lives with a shining smile and a calm demeanor.  Her memory will live on in the hearts of all who were fortunate to know her.  She earned her wings.

Hargett Funeral Home (Greensboro, NC) is in care of Regina locally and Pearson Funeral Home (Emporia, VA) will be in care of services in Emporia, VA.  Any deliveries for the service should be taken directly to Pearson Funeral Home or to her parent’s home (5206 Hicksford Road, Emporia, VA 23847).