Norman Clyde Hopkins

On February 19, 2025, Norman Clyde Hopkins passed away peacefully at his home in Boca Raton, Florida, surrounded by family, after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. 

One of eight siblings born to the late Jesse Lee Hopkins and Nannie Belle Hopkins, Clyde grew up in Henry County, Virginia.  Clyde graduated from Martinsville (Virginia) High School and obtained a bachelor's degree from East Carolina University and a master's from the Institute of Textile Technology.  Clyde was a veteran, having served in the United States Air Force.  Clyde was considered an industry expert in long-staple textile processing, specifically, the production of carpet yarn.  Over a career of 30 years, Clyde worked for several large textile manufacturers in quality and process control positions in North Carolina, Virginia, California, Georgia, and Tennessee.      

During his free time, Clyde enjoyed golf, working in the yard, playing (or just sitting) with his dogs and cats, and cheering for his two favorite colleges, the University of Virginia and the University of Georgia.  Clyde was also very active in several churches where he lived, including Jefferson Park Baptist Church in Charlottesville, Virginia; First United Methodist Church in Lemoore, California; Trinity United Methodist Church in Dalton, Georgia; Bright Star Methodist Church in Douglasville, Georgia; and First Church of Coral Springs, Florida.  He also enjoyed volunteering his time to various organizations, including the Exchange Club and the Salvation Army.

In addition to his parents, Clyde was preceded in death by siblings Chester Lee Hopkins, James Harold Hopkins, George Burton Hopkins, Eleanor Claudine Turner, Lilian Frances Clark, and Douglas Eugene Hopkins, all of whom resided in Virginia. 

Clyde is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 62 years, Shirley Hopkins of Boca Raton, Florida.  Clyde is also survived by his two children, Steven (Karen) Hopkins of Boca Raton, Florida, and Karen (Jeffrey) Farmer of New Orleans, Louisiana, as well as his three granddaughters, Brooke Farmer, Paige Farmer, and Elizabeth Hopkins.  Clyde is also survived by his brother Richard Ervin Hopkins of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.