Grace M.

Hopson

Grace Marie Spurlock Hopson

December 11, 1933 - November 6, 2026

Grace Marie Spurlock Hopson, 92, gently slipped away from this life on Friday November 6, 2026, peacefully at home, surrounded by family. Grace, or Grandma Grace as she was affectionately called by her family, was the family’s northstar.

Grace was born the youngest of sixteen children to the late Thomas Shirley Spurlock and Willie Borden Spurlock in Salem, Virginia. As a child, Grace spent many days with her siblings between Olaf Big Hill, Virginia where her mother had been born and raised in 1890 and Salem where her father was born and raised in 1886. Salem and Virginia were deeply rooted in Grace and formed the foundations of her life and shaped how she raised her family. Proud of her Virginia accent which remained with her for her entire life, whenever she was asked where home was she would proudly proclaim, “Salem, I am from Salem, Virginia.”

In 1952, Grace wed her High School sweetheart James Robert (Bobby) Hopson, Jr. and lived a remarkable 47 years together until his passing in 1999. Grace was a proud military wife as her husband served 23 years in the military, entering during the Korean War and serving tours in the Vietnam war. Her role as military spouse allowed her to travel to many places including Germany. After U.S. service retirement , Grace and Bob settled in Connecticut, were employed and retired from the University of Connecticut ,Storrs, Connecticut was the family home for more than 50 years.

Grace raised four children and infused them with a love of family, faith, loyalty, and respect. Her daughter Joyce, the eldest, was her guiding light sharing a special bond, shared only by mother and daughter. Her three sons, James Robert, Michael and Anthony were her bedrock providing constant care, companionship, and good humor.

Grace’s pride were her eight grandchildren, Jabari Adofo Hopson King, Tyler Hopson (Amanda DeRosa) , Spencer Hopson, Alyssa Hopson- Cumberlander (Jeremy), Chelsea Hopson, Micayla Hopson, Aminieli Hopson and Aisaa Hopson. Her Grandson, Jabari preceded her in death, going ahead to pave the way to heaven for his beloved grandma. In recent years Grace cherished the arrival of five great grandchildren, Avery Hopson, Catalina Hopson, Aaliyah Hopson, Kayden Cumberlander, and Tatum Hopson. Who affectionally called her Triple G, Great Grandma Grace.

Grace was the life of the party. She enjoyed dancing and listening to classic soul music which was playing even as she quietly transitioned to heaven. Almost every Saturday for the last 50 years she enjoyed getting her hair done at RK Hair studio where she would laugh and talk with her friends Becky and Kathy at RK Hair. She enjoyed having a cold Budweiser while she watched her beloved Uconn Women’s basketball. An avid sports fan, Grace often told stories of her own days playing basketball. Her great joys were watching her children compete in athletics when they were younger.

Family was her special bond. As mentioned Grace was preceded in death by her parents, Willie and Thomas Spurlock, her husband James Robert Hopson and her grandson, Jabari Adofo Hopson King. Grace was also preceded in death by fourteen brothers and sisters, ten brother and sister in laws, a nephew Robert Spurlock, and three nieces Dainese Greene, Janis Spurlock, and Cynthia Clarke.

Grace is survived by her four children, Joyce Hopson King of State College, PA., James Robert Hopson and his wife Cathy of Amston, CT., Michael Thomas Hopson and his Wife Mary of Windsor, CT, and Anthony Wayne Hopson and his wife Fyiane of Mansfield,CT. Also left to cherish her memory is Gary King.

Grace is also survived by her beloved sister Lois Hopson of Salem Virginia. Aunt Lois and Grace had a special bond as they were 11 months apart in age. In addition, Grace is survived by her eldest niece, Shirley Garner, who grew up with Grace like sisters and went to school with Grace and Lois. Also, left to remember Grace are her sister in laws Margaret Spurlock of Salem, Va. and Betty Hopson of Wallingford, CT.

Left to cherish her memory are her 7 grandchildren, five great grandchildren, nieces Valerie Wilson- Wesley, Karla Spurlock - Evans, Patricia Wilson - Pheanious, Marcillia Huguley, Sharon Spurlock, Victoria Shearin- Lawson, and Angela Hopson. Surviving nephews Carl Spurlock, George Spurlock, Bernard Spurlock, James Clark, Kevin Hopson, Jeffrey Clark. and Duane Spurlock.

The family wants to especially recognize Doris Wisniewski and Roxanne Paradise for their tender care and companionship they provided Grace over the last four years.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend visitation on November 18th, 2026, from 10:00am to 11:00am at First Congregational Church, 199 Valley Street, Willimantic, CT 06226. A service will follow at the church from 11:00am to 1:00 PM. Burial will take place at Storrs Cemetery, 30 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT, where loved ones will have the opportunity to gather and pay their final respects.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly invites those wishing to honor Grace’s memory to consider making a donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, Feeding America, or a charitable organization of their choice. Your thoughtfulness and generosity are deeply appreciated.