Symanthie L. Giles Hopkins

Symanthie Lee Giles Hopkins (Symanthie Hopkins)

Symanthie L. Hopkins was born in Fargo Arkansas on September 21, 1920 to Rev Monroe D Giles and Sabrie Vinson Giles. She was one of 13 children to this union.
At an early age the family moved to Poplar Bluff Missouri where she was a member of the Giles Chapel Methodist church under the pastorate of her father, Rev. Monroe D. Giles. She relocated to Chicago, IL where she attended Kelly Methodist church and after retirement she moved back to Missouri and then to Columbus, OH where she became a member of Trinity United Methodist church.
Symanthie received a scholarship from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas where she received her bachelor’s degree in business education. She remained loyal to Philander Smith as an active alum and lifelong volunteer for the United Negro College Fund. After graduating, Symanthie taught at Johnson Business School in Little Rock and then traveled to Chicago, IL. During the past decades she taught accounting, typing, and business law at a business college; worked as a medical secretary; and served in community relations for the Chicago Urban league. She also coordinated hypertension and sickle cell anemia programs at one Veterans Administration (VA) medical center. In 1976 she was appointed by the Hospital Director to assist in the White House Consumer Conference and supported the hospital Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Investigation. Retired in 1985 from the Employee Relations Division of the VA medical center.
Symanthie loved working with people, traveling, dancing, bowling, writing, and cooking. She enjoyed working within various clubs and organization all her life. In 1977 she was the Vice President and Chairperson, Fund-Raising Committee, Chicago Chapter, Philander Smith College Alumni and when she moved to Columbus, OH belonged to the Inter-Alumni Council of Central Ohio, which helped raise money for college funds for future students of Philander Smith. Symanthie also was the President, Chicago Chapter, Southeast Missouri Club whose objectives was to offer college scholarships to high school graduates in the Southeast Missouri. She also belonged to, Beta Mu Theta Sorority, and became President of the Chicago Chapter in the 70’s. In her spare time she participated in the Veteran Administration Medical Center Mixed Bowling League.
Symanthie loved the Family, and always active in all the Family Reunions no matter her location. She also was a Breast Cancer Survivor.
Symanthie is affectionally called: “MotherDear”, “MaDear”, “GrandMother Hopkins”, “Grand Ma Hopkins”, “Aunt Symanthie”, “Symanthie”, “Sam”, and “Mrs. Hopkins”.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Monroe D. Giles and Sabrie (Vinson) Giles; husband; William J. -Hopkins, brothers; Monroe D. Giles, Milton Giles, Emory Giles, Aulden Giles, Vernon Giles; sister; V.S. Giles Shaw, Dezelia Giles, Pearleatha Giles Walker and Symenzie Giles Murphy; Son in Law, Thomas Tang and Grandson, Thomas Tang Jr.
Leaves to cherish her memory, one daughter, Evelyn B Tang, Columbus, Ohio. One Grandson; Andre R (Kelly) Tang of North Royalton, Ohio. Two Granddaughters, Felicia (Robert) Davis, Columbus, Ohio; and Angela (Warren) Johnson of Westerville, Ohio. Six Great granddaughters; Tonisha Davis, Cicely Davis and Patrice Davis, Columbus, Ohio; Dominique (Ryan) Finneran, Springfield, VA; Eaisha Johnson and Jasmine Johnson, Columbus, Ohio , and two Great-Great Grandchildren; Eden Jones and Desirae Jones-Penn, Columbus, Ohio and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and family.