Dr. Portia Faye Jones Hopper, the beloved wife of James Ernest Hopper, departed this life on Wednesday, May 10, 2023.
She was born in Reidsville, North Carolina to the late Robert Odell Jones and Inez Dillard Jones on January 24, 1951. Portia was raised in Reidsville where she accepted Christ at an early age. She was the second of six children and one of the graduates of Booker T. Washington High School where she received her high school diploma. Portia went on to receive her teaching degree from Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Portia’s greatest love was her family. She married James Ernest Hopper on March 29, 1975, marking 47 years. From this union, were born four children: E. J., Mark, Samuel, and Timothy. Portia loved and was very proud of all her sons. She was a lifelong educator. When the family relocated to Waterloo in 1978, Portia began her teaching career at Longfellow Elementary and then taught 7th grade Social Studies at West Intermediate School. She later founded the Noah’s Ark Academy for At-Risk Youth. When the family relocated to Georgia, she would continue working with vulnerable students. Portia was an avid follower of Christ. She was awarded a Doctorate in Theology from the Guilford School of Theology in Greensboro, North Carolina. She was an active member of Congregation Beth Shalom in North Augusta, Georgia. A prayer warrior, Portia was a fighter. She actively prayed before the sunrise and at sunset. Most importantly, Portia knew Jesus as the answer. She had a meaningful life proclaiming the Lord and all of his promises.
Portia leaves to cherish her smile, life and memories: her mother, Inez D. Jones; beloved husband, Ernest; sons, E.J. (Tonya) of Charlotte, Mark, Samuel and Timothy (Erica), all of Waterloo, IA; a host of neighborhood sons and daughters; five granddaughters, Amaya of Rockford, IL, Shavion of Dallas, TX, Ke’Laiah of Houston, Texas, Reagan and Lauren both of Waterloo, IA; four grandsons, Samuel, Jr., Hartsel and Bryant, all of Waterloo, IA and Isaiah of Charlotte; one great-granddaughter, Truth of Rockford, Ill; three brothers, Rudy (Sherrie) Jones of Waterloo, IA, Joey (Kinta) Jones of Silver Spring, Maryland and Marty Jones of Washington, DC; one sister, Linda (Mack) Hedrick of Greensboro. She also leaves to cherish her memory a host of nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Portia was preceded in death by her father, Robert Duval Jones.
Funeral services will be conducted 11:30 a.m. Saturday morning, May 20, 2023 from the First Christian Church, Disciples In Christ, 206 Holderby Street with Pastor Jacqualyn McHenry presiding. The family will receive friends Saturday from 11 until 11:30 a.m. at the church and may be contacted other times at 149 Ridge Street. Public viewing will be Friday afternoon at Johnson & Sons, 115 Holderby Street.
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