Mildred Helena Hopkins, 71

DOVER - Mildred Helena Hopkins, of Dover, departed this life peacefully Saturday night April 19, 2008, in Green Valley Pavilion, Smyrna, after a short illness. She was 71.

She was born Oct. 10, 1936, to the late Allen Layton and Mildred Estella Brinkley Sr.

Helena, as she was called, attended Booker T. Washington School and William Henry School, Dover.

She was united in holy matrimony to Charles O. Hopkins on July 3, 1971.

In her early years of employment, Helena worked at various restaurants in Dover, Flagstone, Hi D Ho, Holiday Inn and Mcginnis Market sub shop.

In the late '60s and early '70s, she and her husband operated business at the Apollo Night Club on Kirkwood Street.

Helena also worked in the cafeteria at the International Latex Corp. on Pear Street and the Delaware State News.

At the age of 68, she became a foster grandparent for the state of Delaware.

She was assigned to kindergarten at Booker T. Washington Elementary School.

In 2007, Helena accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior and became a member of Mount Olive Pentecostal Church in Smyrna under the leadership of Elder Constance R. Beach.

You would hear her on Sunday mornings praising God with the "Hallelujahs" and "thank you, Jesus," for she knew God had delivered her from the hands of the enemy (Satan).

Her favorite hymn was "My Soul Loves Jesus."

She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Emma T. Brinkley; her parents; her husband; stepson, Isacc Gaines; three brothers, Ralph Brinkley, James "Bill" Brinkley and Tyrone Brinkley; and two sisters, Mary Waters and Emogene Smith.

She leaves to cherish her memory and her love, one son and daughter-in-law, Ernest Jerome and Kathleen Brinkley of Dover; one daughter, Catherine Elaine Brinkley of Dover; two grandsons, Anthony Brinkley of Dover and Michael Brinkley of Alexandria, Va.; two granddaughters and one grandson-in-law, Pamelia and Bryan May of Gilbert, Ariz. and Tysonia Brinkley of Dover; three great-grandsons, Jeremy May of Dover, Jawan May of Gilbert, and Davione Robinson of Dover; three great-granddaughters, D'Arione Robinson, Nakiya Dixon and Miracle Hampton of Dover; two brothers and three sisters-in-law, Allen Brinkley, Harry and Calmetta Brinkley of Dover, Loretta Hooks of Fayetteville, N.C., and Evelyn Winder of Dover; one sister and two brothers-in-law, Angela and Carlton Turner of Dover and Barron and Selina Hopkins of Fruitland, Md.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

She also leaves her church family of Mount Olive Pentecostal Church and Granny II Laura Waters.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in Calvary Baptist Church, Del. 8, Dover, where friends may view two hours prior.

Burial will be at Sharon Hill.

Arrangements by Bennie Smith Funeral Home.