Alvin Earl Hopkins

Alvin Earl "Al" Hopkins, age 86 passed away Wednesday August 3, 2016 at Trisun Nursing Home in Corsicana. He was born May 5, 1930 in Vista, California to Roy Earl Hopkins and Marie Melvine Stumpf Hopkins. He joined the US Navy in 1948. While serving, he married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Mae Smith on November 4, 1950. While employed with Quaker Oats they resided in California and had four children. In 1972 the family relocated to Corsicana, Texas and he began his career with Wolf Brand Chili as office manager. There he continued his service with the Rotary Club in Corsicana, holding nearly every position the club has for a total of 45 years. In 1976 he joined the Community Playhouse, now the Warehouse of Living Arts Center. He played as the villain in nine melodramas for Derrick Days. Within the same year he and Shirley begun participating with the Original Terlingua International Championship Chili Cook-Off. From 1977 to 2007 he begun running the Derrick Days Cook-Off. In 2007 he served as the Grand Marshall for the Derrick Days parade and "Al Hopkins Day" was declared April 28. Al enjoyed making a difference in the Corsicana community and was always quick to volunteer to help. While not working, participating in chili cook offs, and helping our community he loved playing the piano. He was self-taught and would sometimes entertain his fellow residents at Trisun. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Shirley Mae Smith Hopkins and their son, Kenneth Rae Hopkins. He is survived by his daughter, Suzan Lyn and Richard Benton Beasley; granddaughters, Crystal Elizabeth and Justin Nathaniel Lynch and Cynthia Lyn and Matthew Lawrence Graham; son Steven Alan and Denise Ann Duell Hopkins; granddaughter Caitlin Rosallyna Hopkins, and Steven's daughter Cerra Lynn Hopkins; son, Patrick Lee and Stacee Suzette McCullough Hopkins and grandsons, Kenneth James and Kaleb Paul Hopkins. Private family graveside will be held Friday, August 12, 2016 at Resthaven Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Warehouse Living Arts Center or Alzheimer's Association 7610 N Stemmons Suite 600 Dallas, Texas 75207

Alvin Earl Hopkins

May 5, 1930 - August 3, 2016