Margaret B. Hopson of Bridgehampton dies at 83

Margaret B. Hopson

Margaret B. Hopson of Bridgehampton died on July 6 at her home. Affectionately known as Mother Dear, Grandma Marge and Nannie, she was 83.

Born October 29, 1926, to Lucille (née Malone) and Charles Stewart in Dinwiddie County in Dewitt, Virginia, she was baptized at a young age at the First Baptist Church of McKenney, Virginia.

Her family soon moved to the East End, where she graduated from Southampton High School. She continued her education at Suffolk County Community College, obtaining an associate’s degree in nursing through the aid of the Local 1199 Union. She was employed by Southampton Hospital as a nurse’s aide for 16 years and then as a registered nurse for 26 years.

On September 14, 1946, she married Arthur P. Hopson and the couple raised seven children together: Arthur P. Hopson Jr., Betty Hopson, Margaret Hopson, Loretta Hopson, Charles Earle Hopson, Julie Hopson and Wayne Hopson.

Mrs. Hopson joined the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton under the leadership of the late Reverend William T. Collins. She was a devout member of the church, attending faithfully up to her death. She served on various auxiliaries including the youth choir, Silver Leaf Club, gospel chorus, senior choir, missionary board and as the church clerk. She was also the president of the first Nurse’s Unit that was established under the late Reverend Russell K. Williams, serving until her health deteriorated to the point where she could not continue.

Family members said this week that Mrs. Hopson was a kind, loving and caring person who often helped others. Every time you saw her, they recalled, she always had a smile on her face, and if you were to engage in conversation with her, you would 
always learn that she was a nurse at Southampton Hospital for more than “36 years.”

She is survived by three sons, Arthur P. Hopson Jr. of Bridgehampton, Reverend Charles Earle Hopson Sr. and his wife Sheila of East Hampton and Wayne Hopson and his wife Marian of Sag Harbor; three daughters, Betty and her husband Richard Hite of Southampton, Margaret and her husband Abdullah “Pro” Proctor of Southampton, and Julie Hopson of Bridgehampton; a son-in-law, Clarence Pinckney; 14 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; several sisters- and brothers-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur P. Hopson Sr., a daughter, Loretta Pinckney, and two brothers, Robert Stewart and Charles Stewart.

Visitation was on July 10 at the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton, where a funeral service was held that day. Interment followed at Edgewood Cemetery in Bridgehampton.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Brockett Funeral Home in Southampton.