Vella Jean
Hopkins Culver, 92
Vella Jean Hopkins Culver passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, January 9, 2022.
Daughter of the late Stephen O. and Vella Ross Hopkins, Jean was born outside of Princess Anne and grew up in the close-knit rural community of Mt. Vernon in Somerset County. As part of a large farm family with seven brothers and sisters, she said the household was filled with "love and good conversation." Coming of age during WW II, she closely followed news of fierce battles, often involving family and friends, in the European and Pacific theatres, many in exotic locations. When her future husband, Clyde Richard "Dick" Culver of Salisbury asked her what she wanted in life, she replied, "travel the world." They did.
Dick pursued a career in the U.S. Air Force and, during his 22 years of service, Jean relished being a military wife and mother to three boys. She kept the family organized and secure during frequent household moves between Washington State, Washington D.C., Florida, New York, Germany and other places. Her favorite assignment was Clark AFB, Philippines, the largest American base overseas. Wherever she went, she loved living in a military community; its close-knit character was, in some ways, reminiscent of her childhood experience of small town rural living and she loved being exposed to the varied people, cultures and landscapes of foreign countries.
Jean always enjoyed good conversation and good coffee. Her home was filled with mementoes of their travels, each a trigger to an entertaining story. With her sons in school, she rejoined the workforce, and her superior people and bookkeeping skills were welcomed at offices on and off bases. Her social interests, from Bingo to bowling, were ever changing. An excellent dancer, her nickname was "Twinkle Toes."
Following Dick's retirement from the Air Force, the family returned to the Eastern Shore where they spent many years. The two took their last big adventure together, moving to Las Vegas, NV, to be near children and grandchildren. With Dick's death in 2014 after 68 years of marriage, Jean returned to Salisbury, with its gentler pace. Here she enjoyed a close friendship with her daughter-in-law, Yvette Culver, who was devoted to her care.
She is survived by her sons, Robert W. Culver (Yvette) and Richard W. Culver of Salisbury, and Glen H. Culver of Las Vegas, who lost his wife, Sue, a few hours before his mother on January 9; grandchildren, Christopher Culver (Melissa) and Jonathan Culver (Anna), of Las Vegas and Michelle Culver of Bossier City, LA; other grandchildren, Jarron Dunnick (Ashley) of Amherst, NH, and Joseph Wilhelmi, of Worcester, MA; and six great-grandchildren, Bryce, Jackson, Isabella, Kyleeanne, Abigail, and Trevor Culver, all of Las Vegas; and many caring nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her sisters. Cora Lou Adams, Catherine Hopkins Ent, Helen McCready MacLeod, Sarah Dryden Horner and Gladys Hopkins; and brothers, Stephen Bunting Hopkins, George Robert Hopkins and John Edward Hopkins.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, January 29, 2022 at 11 a.m. with visitation with family one hour before at Faith Community Church, 219 N. Division St., Salisbury (21801), the Rev. John Harrison officiating. Interment will be in the Eastern Shore Veterans Cemetery, Hurlock.
Memorial donations may be made to Faith Community Church at the above address or the Air Force Aid Society (afas.org).
Arrangements are in the care of Holloway Funeral Home, PA, 501 Snow Hill Road, Salisbury (21804). To send condolences to the family, please visit www.hollowayfh.com.