Elsie Cheek Cheek Hopkins

HOPKINS, Elsie Pearl Cheek, 84, of Mechanicsville, went to be with the Lord Monday, February 14, 2011. She was born May 24, 1926 to the late Effie and James C. Cheek of Rockwell, N.C. She was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur M. Hopkins; her daughter, Bertha H. Moran; and grandson, James E. Hopkins. She is survived by her sisters, Mary Ann Lawrence and husband, Jack, and Susie Aldridge; her children, Betsy H. Crocker, Gregory M. Hopkins and wife, Linda, Wilbur M. Hopkins and wife, Cathy, and Deborah L. Rablin and husband, Wayne; and her seven grandchildren, Melinda S. Hopkins, Rachael L. Moran and boyfriend, Brad W. Bullock II, Jessica A. Holcombe, Austin F. Crocker, Brandon T. Crocker, Nicole M. Hopkins and Elizabeth S. Hopkins; and numerous other loving family members and friends. Elsie was a graduate of Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C. and also of the University of North Carolina-Greensboro in Greensboro, N.C. During college, she worked at Cannon Mills in Kannapolis, N.C. on the third shift. She then went on to work at the VA Hospital, where she helped and touched many lives. For the next 35 years, she pursued one of her passions, teaching. She taught at Washington Henry Elementary School in Hanover County, Va., Henrico High School, Hermitage Junior High and Moody Middle School in Henrico County, Va., where she retired from. Elsie was a devoted Christian and attended Hillcrest Baptist Church in Mechanicsville, Va. from 1984 to 2011, where she was a charter member. She loved playing the piano, listening to classical music, knitting, sewing and canning vegetables in the summer. "Pete," as many called her, was a bright, beautiful and giving woman who was loved by all who knew her. As a mother, sister, grandmother and friend she will be dearly missed. The family will receive friends on Monday, February 21, 2011 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the Atlee Chapel, Woody Funeral Home, 9271 Shady Grove Road. The memorial service will be conducted Tuesday, February 22, 2011 at 1 p.m. at Hillcrest Baptist Church, 11342 Hillcrest Road, with a graveside service to follow at Signal Hill Memorial Park. Friends are encouraged to return to Hillcrest for a reception following the graveside service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church, 11342 Hillcrest Road, Mechanicsville, Va. 23116