James Russell Hopson Of Bridgehampton Dies September 19

James Russell Hopson of Bridgehampton died September 19 at Southampton Hospital. He was 90.

Born on February 14, 1923, in Drewyville, Virginia, he was the son of John and Lillar Hopson. He moved with his family to Bridgehampton in 1928 and attended the Bridgehampton School.

Mr. Hopson served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1945 as an electrician stationed in Central Europe. He was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal.

As a young man, Mr. Hopson worked at the I.M. Young potato farm. He worked for Joseph Hren in Amagansett and Pulver Gas in Bridgehampton and the Town of Southampton’s Highway Department for 27 years, retiring in 1986.

He married Mary M. Bess on May 25, 1957.

Mr. Hopson served on the usher board at the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton for many years.

He enjoyed working in his gardens, growing both vegetables and flowers, and was very attentive to the fish pond he built in his yard. Also known as “Rockie,” he enjoyed bowling with seniors at East Hampton Bowl. He would often sit in his car and read the paper after his daily walk around the church parking lot.

Mr. Hopson is survived by his wife of 56 years, Mary M. Hopson; a daughter, Brenda Turner of Manhattan; grandsons, Paul Anthoney Jones of Brooklyn and Sean M.V. Turner of Wyandanch; and a great-grandson, Sean Turner. He is also survived by three sisters, Mamie Johnson, Martha Craggate and husband Fred, all of Southampton, and Mary Taylor of Riverhead; a brother, William and wife Bertha of East Hampton; two goddaughters, Jaquline Martin of Bellport and Karis Lamb of Bridgehampton; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his brothers, Rufus, Arthur, John and A. Thomas Hopson; and sisters, Florence Turner and Katie Person.

A funeral service was held on September 23 at the First Baptist Church of Bridgehampton. The Reverend Michael Smith officiated and the Reverend Henry Faison Jr. delivered the eulogy. Interment followed at the Shinnecock Cemetery.

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