Vernon Elton Hopson, Jr. was born on August 1, 1956, in Suffolk, VA, and received his heavenly rest on January 30, 2025. Vernon was a quiet, humble, and caring man of God.
He accepted Christ at an early age at Balm of Gilead Missionary Baptist Church in Suffolk, VA where he began his Christian work as an usher and was ordained as a deacon. He later relocated to the peninsula and joined Shiloh Baptist Church, Yorktown where he served as a deacon, sang in the male chorus and combined choir, was an active member of Men of Discipline, and committed to doing any task God put on his heart to serve the kingdom.
For many years Vernon bowled with organized leagues just for fun. In his younger years, he loved to play softball. Not a season went by when Vernon didn’t get his fishing license. He loved to fish whether on the pier or a boat. He was a gifted artist who never met any art supplies he didn’t want to leave homeless.
Vernon was an avid sports fan, but football and car racing were his favorites. He was a loyal fan of the Washington Redskins, now Commanders. His love for football wasn’t just professional. He supported all the teams his son played on from little league to college and even traveled to support his son as a coach. He even had the occasion to travel to watch his daughter in a Little League cheerleading competition in her youth.
From 1975 to 1981, Vernon served his country as a member of the United States Army. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he used those skills he had acquired as a government contractor. Vernon worked at Ft. Eustis through several contracts for over forty years. His official retirement date was December 31, 2024.
Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Dora E. and Vernon E. Hopson, Sr., and brother, Ronald Hopson, Sr.
He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife Lynette Hopson; daughter Nicole P. Hopson; son Edward C. Hopson; grandson Shyne Simmons; sister Karen Lynette Jenkins (Clinton); parents-in-love, Elaine and Thomas Evans, Sr.; and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
A funeral service to celebrate Vernon’s life will be held at Noon on Friday, February 7, 2025, at Shiloh Baptist Church-Yorktown, with a viewing beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will take place at a later date at Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, Suffolk, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Vernon Hopson Memorial Fund.
