Vesper Hopkins Edwards
Vesper Mae Hopkins Edwards, the sixth child of The Rev. Morton Harrison Hopkins and Eura Claytor Hopkins,was born in the Sontag Community of Virginia.
At an early age, Vesper accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and this deep faith influenced her ability to live her life to the fullest.
Whether Vesper was: jumping out of trees, sliding down the barn roof, singing to the hills and following her father as he plowed, or nearly drowning her brother Rexford during a practice baptism, she was always praising the Lord.
Vesper attended the Brown School in Sontag Community before graduatingfrom the Virginia State College with her Bachelor of Arts in English. While working towards her Master’s degree at Fisk University, she met and married Lamar Edwards.
To this union was born four children.
Vesper loved her children and she loved teaching. After marrying, she taught within the school systems of Clarksville, Tennessee, and Cleveland, Ohio. In 1967, she returned to Franklin County, VA, where she continued to teach until her retirement.
After retiring, Vesper traveled throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan.
When home in Franklin County, she was active in many community organizations including, the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; the Franklin County Historical Society; and the National Education Association. Vesper also served on committees for the Ms. Senior America Pageant and she took ballroom dance at the Author Murray dance studio.Vesper enjoyed walking and swimming at the YMCA.
Always active in her church community, though out her life, Vesper participated in Bible study groups; soloed and performed in the Church Choirs; and was part of several small Christian groups.
Vesper was a member of and served as President of the Noel C. Taylor Community Choir. She sang in the First Christian Choir of Roanoke, VA; the Franklin County Community Choir; and, most recently,she leant her soprano voice to the Franklin Heights Baptist Church Choir.
Her affiliation with the CrossPointe campus of Franklin Heights Baptist Church was joy filled.
Vesper was preceded in death by her parents and siblings—Morton Banks Hopkins, Howard Bowles Hopkins, Linnie Anne Hopkins, William Jackson Hopkins, Marjorie Roberta Hopkins Price, and Rexford Lee LeeHopkins—and by her former husband, Lamar Edwards.
She leaves to cherish loving memories to…
Her Children
Brenda M. Edwards Schmeidler (Lloyd)
Eura E. Edwards
Min. Birdie A. Edwards
Lamar M. Edwards (Cheryl)
Her Grandchildren
Tracie L. Hill (Frederick)
Stephanie L. Ferguson (Donley)
Pamela A. Singleton (David)
Vesper H. Samuel (Yohannes)
Angelica H. Lynskey (Nelson)
Brandon M. Worrell (Shameka)
Birdie M. Trotter
Christian H. Edwards
Evan J. Daniels
Eleven Great-grandchildren
A host of loving family and friends
The familyvisitation will be held Monday, April 10, 2023 from 10-11 a.m. followed by a wake from 11 a.m.- 12 p.m. atConner-Bowman Funeral Chapel. Agraveside service, immediately following the wake, will be held at Franklin Memorial Park, 21440 Virgil H. Goode Highway, Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151.
Donations may be sent to CrossPointe Church, 201 Burnt Chimney Road, Wirtz, VA 24184.
Arrangements by Conner-Bowman Funeral Home, 62 Virginia Market Place Dr., Rocky Mount, VA 24151
