HOPWOOD, Stanley Howard "Stan" - b. November 10, 1940 - d. September 29, 2023

[patyrn]

Rev. Stanley Howard Hopwood, age 82, of Flowery Branch, Georgia, passed away September 29, 2023 at Manor Lake Assisted Living of Gainesville, Georgia surrounded by family.  He was born November 10, 1940 to Carl and Carrie (Strickland) Hopwood in Gainesville.

Stan graduated from high school in Gainesville and enlisted in the United States Navy, serving over 14 years including two tours in Vietnam.  He was united in marriage to Ruby Anne Garrett in Ottawa, Kansas on July 11, 1959.  He answered the Lord's call to ministry in 1972.  His first appointment as a pastor was from 1974-1976 at the First Baptist Church in his wife's hometown of Howard, Kansas.  He and his family then moved to Gainesville, Georgia where he pastored Cedar Creek Baptist Church in Winder, Georgia, Center Grove Baptist in Jackson County, Georgia, and Mountain Creek Baptist in Pendergrass, Georgia.  He also served as interim or associate pastor at multiple other churches through the years.  He re-enlisted in the military with the United States Army and served six years as a recruiter in Gainesville, retiring from active duty in 1984.

Stan was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Flowery Branch, Georgia.  He had a genuine concern for others and always shared words of encouragement.  He was well-known for bringing light-heartedness and a sense of humor wherever he went.  His greatest asset was his heart for service.  He served the Lord, his country, his family, and his community throughout his life.  He was loved and respected by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. 

Stan is survived by hs children, Becky and Lynn Yarbrough of Clermont, Georgia, Stana Hopwood of Gainesville, Georgia, Eddie and Arlene Hopwood of Murrayville, Georgia, Gary Hopwood of Lulu, Georgia, and Jeff and Cris Hopwood of Chicopee, Georgia; 6 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; his sisters, Sheila Cronic and Cathy Jones; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ruby (Garrett) Hopwood.

Funeral service will be held on October 4, 2023 in the chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home with entombment following at Memorial Park South Cemetery.  Rev. Philip Ramson will officiate.  In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Senior Adult Ministry of Hopewell Baptist Church, 5086 Poplar Springs Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30507 or the Music Ministry Program of Zion Hill Baptist Church, 4100 Falcom Parkway, Flowery Branch, Georgia 30542.

Memorial Park South Funeral Home of Flowery Branch, Georgia is in charge of arrangments.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.

(taken from Memorial Park South Funeral Home website)