Freda Louise Hopkins

Freda Louise Keys Hopkins departed from this world on Wednesday August 3, 2022, following a brief illness and stay at Doey’s House in Hagerstown, Maryland. 

Freda was born January 19, 1930, to William and Minnie Thomas Keys in Jenkinjones, West Virginia. After graduating from Gary High School in 1947 Freda attended St. Lukes School of Nursing in Bluefield, West Virginia for two years. Freda then graduated from St Mary’s School of Nursing in Huntington, West Virginia in 1950. After her marrying Jim Hopkins in 1952, Freda and Jim moved to Chicago so that Jim could attend DeVry Technical Institute. Once in Chicago, Freda was employed as a registered nurse at Edgewater Hospital and Illinois Masonic Hospital. Both were happy to return home to McDowell County following Jim’s graduation from college. Back in McDowell County, the couple set home in a small apartment in Welch, WV before moving to the home they would share many years in Gary, West Virginia. Once back “home” Freda continued working as a nurse at Grace Hospital in Welch, West Virginia. She would later work at the Rock District Medical Center in Gary, West Virginia and retire from McDowell County Health Center. 

Freda was a longtime volunteer of the American Red Cross and the Red Cross TriState Bloodmobile. She was also an active member and held offices within the Gary Elementary PTA, Gary Elementary Band Mothers, and the Gary High School Band Boosters. Freda was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary and Beta Sigma Phi holding offices in both. Freda’s Christian faith was strong and her involvement in church was most important to her. She was a long-time member of Gary United Methodist Church. While at Gary United Methodist, Freda was involved with the youth fellowship and for many years served as circle leader for the Gary United Methodist Women. Within the Gary United Methodist Church, Freda was a member of the Spice of Life group; she served roles of President, Vice President, and Secretary for the group. 

Following the death of her husband, Freda moved to Bluefield to be closer to other family members. While in Bluefield, she joined and became active in the Bland Street United Methodist Church. Once settled in Bluefield, Freda was active in organizing a group of neighbors that lived in her new neighborhood. This group proved to be an integral part of Freda’s life! Freda’s surviving family will always be thankful for the love, support, and friendship that the Bluefield gang gave her! 

The last three years of Freda’s life was spent in the Hagerstown, MD area so that she could be close to her son. Unfortunately, the arrival of Covid-19 prevented Freda from going out and being the social person, she once had been. 

Freda is survived by her son, James (Chip) and wife Nancy, grandsons Jackson Hopkins (and Tim Benna) and Tate Hopkins (and Lexie Wink). She is also survived by her sister Doris Nelson and husband Jack of Richmond, Virginia and a cousin, Helen Ayers of Powhatan, Virginia. Also surviving are special sister in laws, Louise Hopkins of Gary, West Virginia, Barbara Conrad of Titusville, Florida and Edith Burke of Winston Salem, NC. Freda also leaves behind nephews Chuck Wilkerson of Midlothian, Virginia and Joe Lavender of Raleigh, NC as well as nephews Mark Keys, Vernon Keys,  David Keys. Freda is also survived by her nieces Rebekah Lavender, Tammy Hopkins, Ray Lynn Bartlett , Mary Lee Soyars, Susan Cunningham, and Betty Eigenmann.

Funeral services for Freda will be held on Monday, August 15, 2022 at 2 pm at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home, Bluefield West Virginia. Visitation will be an hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Doey’s House (Hagerstown, MD), or Bland Street United Methodist Church in Freda’s honor.