Lillie Pearl (Scruggs) Hopkins

Lillie Pearl Scruggs was born on July 29, 1931, to Isaac and Naomi Scruggs in Bartlett, Texas. She quietly left this earth on July 18, 2026, just 11 days before her 95th birthday.

The Scruggs family moved to Gonzales, Texas, where they resided until she was 8 years old; they then relocated to Garland, Texas. The family joined the Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, where she was baptized (in Duck Creek) and met her future husband, Tommy M. Hopkins, Sr., who was the Pianist & Choir Director – and whose parents and other family members were co-founding members of Shiloh MBC.

She attended George Washington Carver School until she went to the State Fair with Dad on Colored Day, and they eloped on June 19, 1948. To this union, 6 children were born, and what a wonderful life was had! Lillie was a housewife and caretaker for her husband and children until 1966, when she went to work at Varo for 28 years before retiring in 1994.

Her parents and siblings always called her “Sister”, not only because she was the oldest child in the family, but also because she always took control like the take-charge Scruggs person that she was! Lillie had many hobbies, but gardening and caring for her yard were what she enjoyed most. You could always count on her yard looking beautiful, and her home-grown vegetables were delicious. She also enjoyed shopping, traveling, sewing, knitting, cooking, and helping others in her church and neighborhood. For a while, she operated like she was the Food Pantry of Garland!

Lillie was a member of Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church for many years before joining Mt. Hebron MBC, where she was an active member and participated faithfully in God's Closet. In her younger years, she was a member of Eastern Star, the CivicEttes, the Carver decorating committee for parade floats, and, when schools in Garland were desegregated in 1965, she integrated the PTA of Watson Elementary, Austin Middle School, and Garland High simultaneously. She was remarkably strong in her belief to know what was going on at her children’s school campus, even though there were some tough hills to climb. Lillie, at the age of 82, graduated from the Garland Citizens Police Academy, came in 3rd place at the shooting range, and was the eldest graduate. She was the Membership Person for the NAACP for many years, contributed pictures and information to the Carver Alumni Programs & Services (CAPS) for the FLATS memorial, and sang in the Mt. Hebron Voices of Caleb Senior Choir. She worked diligently for God’s Closet at Mt. Hebron until she just couldn’t anymore!

Describing the impact she had on her family, friends, and community is immeasurable.

Lillie was preceded in death by her parents, Issac and Naomi Scruggs, her husband, Tommy Hopkins, Sr; her daughters, Cynthia "Cindy" Hopkins LeBlanc, Dora "Dody" Hopkins Hicks, and Teresa Hopkins; her sons, Tommy Hopkins, Jr. and Joseph Charles "Chuck" Hopkins; her sister, Naomi Scruggs Kemp; her brothers, Charles Scruggs and S.W. Scruggs; and her in-laws, Tom and Dora Hopkins.

Those left to cherish lasting memories and continue her amazing legacy include her daughter, I. Gayle Hopkins; her grandchildren, Veronica Cross (Lyn), Tony Hicks, Jr. (Latesha), Omayo Barber, and Anthony Hopkins; her great-grandchildren - Willie Scales, Gabrielle Scales, Tyrieck Hicks, Tony Hicks, III, Anthony King, and Lyric Barber; her brother, Joseph Scruggs (Etta); and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

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