Charles Augustus Hopkins

Charles Augustus Hopkins, Sr. was born on March 29, 1935, in Washington, DC to the late Jerome Hopkins, Sr. & Willie Hopkins. He is the fifth child of six children born to this union. His siblings; three brothers, Kenneth, William, Jerome and two sisters Carolyn Howard and Nancy Greene preceded him in death.

Charles grew up in Washington, DC where he attended public schools. He graduated from Phelps Vocational High School in 1954. He was a sports fanatic, an avid basketball and baseball player. He loved all of the Washington pro ball teams, but was definitely a Redskins diehard. He held season tickets for over 40 years.

He was an Assistant Baseball Coach with the Beltsville Boys and Girls Club. Also was an Assistant Coach with the Queen’s Chapel UMC Knight’s baseball team. Sports was a favorite hobby he enjoyed and he had the temperament for it. Teaching the basic skills and fundamentals of both basketball and baseball to youths in the community gave him real enjoyment and satisfaction in providing positive attitudes to the youngsters.

His other hobby was that of a Jazz enthusiast and his collection of this music is voluminous. He enjoyed traveling with friends and family. He was a member of Prince Hall Meridian Lodge #6.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife, Phyllis; son Charles, Jr. (Lisa) of Baltimore, MD and daughter Dionne Johnson (Michael) of Laurel, MD; two adorable grandsons, Cameron Hopkins and Micah Johnson, two sister-in-laws, Delores Wynn of Keswick, Virginia and Annie Hopkins of Virginia Beach, Virginia. A host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, great great nieces and nephews as well as a host of other family and friends. Charles was a very loving, respectful, caring, gentle and happy man who loved and cherished his family. He was faithful and devoted to his wife, a great Dad and Grandfather. He was a great friend who encourages all around him.

At an early age Charles gave his life to Christ at the First Baptist Church of Deanwood, in Washington, DC. In 2000 he joined the Queen’s Chapel UMC, Beltsville, MD under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Bruce Haskins. He was member of the SPPRC and also served on the Senior Usher Board until his health began to fail. His favorite scripture was Psalm 23.

Charles served his country in the Armed services. In 1954 he enlisted in the U.S. Army; upon completion of basic training was deployed to Wurzberg, Germany where he served as Military Police for 1-1/2 years. Shortly after being discharged from Military Service he went to work for the Federal Government, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Labor Management Service Administration. He served for 36 years as a Records Management Supervisor and retired in 1990. Shortly, thereafter a former manager from the DOL office contacted him for help and convinced him to join him at NIH, Research Grants for a short contract which ended up with him working another 15 years; retiring for a second time in 2006.