Obituary for Lillie Hopkins
Lillie was born on October 14, 1952 to Dave, Sr. and Flossie (nee: Morrison) Wilks in Lexington,
Mississippi. Three children were born to this union, Dave, Jr., Fannie and Lillie.
In 1952, Lillie migrated to Chicago, Illinois with her parents and siblings. She attended Hess Upper
Grade Center and Lillie graduated from Austin High School in 1970.
Lillie became the cherished wife of Walter Hopkins on June 27, 1970. She was married for over 51
and ½ years; God granted Walter and Lillie this amazing marital achievement! To this union four
children were born, Daniel, Rashied, Darnell and Nefertiti.
Lillie pursued her passions of baking, cooking and entertaining. She was always a gracious hostess
with Walter. Summer barbecues were especially memorable, since Lillie and Walter demonstrated
tremendous teamwork during these gatherings. Family favorites included her specialties: sweet potato
cheesecake pie, pound cake, banana pudding and lasagna.
She worked in the financial industry with Garda and as a personal banker with Northwest Community
Bank, both were located in Chicago, Illinois. Lillie worked for Motorola in Schaumburg, Illinois for
over 19 years.
Lillie’s life changed when she was baptized in Jesus’ name and received the Holy Spirit when repented
of her sins over 25 years ago. As a member of Christ Temple Church in Chicago, she served as an
usher for many years.
Since family was important to Lillie, she took numerous road trips with Walter to visit family in
Detroit, Mississippi and Oklahoma. Also, Lillie loved to show her home interior design skills.
Lillie passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2022. Her parents, Dave, Sr. and Flossie; step-father, Earl
James; brothers, C. D. Morrison, Jonathan James, Joe Nathan James and sisters, Fannie Wilks and
Maggie Wilks Flemmings preceded her in death.
Lillie leaves to cherish her memory: Her loving husband, Walter; mother-in-law, Lucille Hopkins;
children, Daniel of Terre Haute, IN; Rashied (Chanda), Darnell (Keylia) and Nefertiti (Arlene) Hopkins,
all in the Chicago area; siblings, Dave Wilks, Jr., Geraldine James and Darnell (Marilynn) James, all in
the Chicago area; Phyllis (Tommie) Oliphant, of Lexington, MS; Theodora Wilks of Gary, IN; Donita
(Lawrence) Sings of Wilmington, DE; grandchildren, Latunisha Collins, Daniel, Armon, Armonie,
Damaya, Christian and Caden Hopkins; Kenneth Brown; special friends, Daphne Terrell, Kathy Piper,
Ruby Kerney, Brenda Stone, the Richardson Family and Linda Lewis plus a host of nieces, nephews and
her church family
Mississippi. Three children were born to this union, Dave, Jr., Fannie and Lillie.
In 1952, Lillie migrated to Chicago, Illinois with her parents and siblings. She attended Hess Upper
Grade Center and Lillie graduated from Austin High School in 1970.
Lillie became the cherished wife of Walter Hopkins on June 27, 1970. She was married for over 51
and ½ years; God granted Walter and Lillie this amazing marital achievement! To this union four
children were born, Daniel, Rashied, Darnell and Nefertiti.
Lillie pursued her passions of baking, cooking and entertaining. She was always a gracious hostess
with Walter. Summer barbecues were especially memorable, since Lillie and Walter demonstrated
tremendous teamwork during these gatherings. Family favorites included her specialties: sweet potato
cheesecake pie, pound cake, banana pudding and lasagna.
She worked in the financial industry with Garda and as a personal banker with Northwest Community
Bank, both were located in Chicago, Illinois. Lillie worked for Motorola in Schaumburg, Illinois for
over 19 years.
Lillie’s life changed when she was baptized in Jesus’ name and received the Holy Spirit when repented
of her sins over 25 years ago. As a member of Christ Temple Church in Chicago, she served as an
usher for many years.
Since family was important to Lillie, she took numerous road trips with Walter to visit family in
Detroit, Mississippi and Oklahoma. Also, Lillie loved to show her home interior design skills.
Lillie passed away on Sunday, January 9, 2022. Her parents, Dave, Sr. and Flossie; step-father, Earl
James; brothers, C. D. Morrison, Jonathan James, Joe Nathan James and sisters, Fannie Wilks and
Maggie Wilks Flemmings preceded her in death.
Lillie leaves to cherish her memory: Her loving husband, Walter; mother-in-law, Lucille Hopkins;
children, Daniel of Terre Haute, IN; Rashied (Chanda), Darnell (Keylia) and Nefertiti (Arlene) Hopkins,
all in the Chicago area; siblings, Dave Wilks, Jr., Geraldine James and Darnell (Marilynn) James, all in
the Chicago area; Phyllis (Tommie) Oliphant, of Lexington, MS; Theodora Wilks of Gary, IN; Donita
(Lawrence) Sings of Wilmington, DE; grandchildren, Latunisha Collins, Daniel, Armon, Armonie,
Damaya, Christian and Caden Hopkins; Kenneth Brown; special friends, Daphne Terrell, Kathy Piper,
Ruby Kerney, Brenda Stone, the Richardson Family and Linda Lewis plus a host of nieces, nephews and
her church family