Henry Lee Hopson

Henry Lee Hopson was born January 28, 1963 in Camden, Arkansas to the union of Arlea and Bettye Jo Powell Hopson. He accepted Christ and united with Shiloh A. M. E. Church at an early age. Henry was 1981 graduate of Fairview High School where he played sports and excelled as a student. He grew up to be a handsome and talented young man. He possessed a strong work ethic and was employed at Hardy Nix as a mechanical contractor. It was there that he learned plumbing and how to operate the backhoe. He later worked for Sonoco, Meyers Bakery, Tyson’s Chicken and the Camden Machine Shop. By all accounts he was a “jack of all trades”, but his passion was auto mechanics, in which he learned watching his daddy. He used his skilled hands to repair, fix and replace parts on several cars. When not working at the shop, he was the “go-to” man for after hour repairs. He could be found any day spending countless hours under someone’s hood. Henry proudly proclaimed that he was too good to be a labeled as a “shade tree” mechanic. His reputation for proficient and timely work was widely known throughout Camden and the surrounding area. His hobbies included working on cars, watching sports, and fishing. Henry was his grandmother’s fishing buddy and if she ever needed anything done, he would “just do it”. He was a person who didn’t mind helping anybody. He enjoyed listening to the music, playing dominoes and just having a good time. Henry Lee was the life of the party. One of his greatest joys was spending memorable moments with relatives and friends, both young and old. He will live on in the hearts of his loved ones and friends. He possessed a friendly spirit and never met a stranger. He meant what he said, and said what he meant. His natural wit and humor could never be duplicated. Family, as well as friends, will miss his strength, smile and love, but will never forget his spirit and compassion. He passed into the Lord’s embrace December 1, 2015 at Life Touch Hospice Home of El Dorado, Arkansas. He was preceded in death by his mother Bettye Jo Powell Hopson (1999). He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife, Loretta; parents, Arlea and Dorothy Hopson; his children, Kenya, Keithron, Breanna, Shauondra, Daitarius, Darnequios and Dakiela; his brothers, Richard (Marty) Hopson, Charles Hopson; sisters, Janet (Jeffery) Martin, and Keisha McCauley; his grandmother, Lydia Smiley all of Camden, Arkansas. He also leaves his aunts, Luella (Elma) Thompson, Brenda Anderson, Rose (Gregory) Carter, Mary Ann Marks and Shirley Blake all of Camden, Arkansas; Corrine Baker of Texarkana, TX, Ocie Mae Gulley of Dallas, TX, Mattie Palms of Dallas, TX, Hermia Hatchett of Chicago, IL, Lurene Hopson of Prescott, AR and Loretta Hopson of Rockford, IL; uncles, Ervin Jake Blake of Rosston, AR, Lewis (Gail) Marks of Camden, AR, M. C. Williams of Camden, AR, Oscar Marks of Camden, AR and Billy Jo (Cynthia) Marks of El Dorado, AR; he also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, cousins and numerous friends. A celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 12, 2015 at Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Camden, Arkansas where Rev. Dr. Jacob H. Hayes, Jr., is the pastor and Rev. Tommie Laws, eulogist. Public viewing will be held on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. prior to service time. Interment will be at Shiloh Cemetery in Chidester, Arkansas.