Obituaries

Surrounded by her loving family, Harriet Allan Hopkins Joiner passed away on August 12, 2018. Those fortunate enough to know our “Hoppy” would attest to her kindness, generosity, grace, beauty, warmth, and zest for life. She loved fiercely and that love was returned in many forms as treasured Mom, Aunt, Sister, Friend and, of course, “Mamie”.

Hoppy was born in Sherman, Texas, on March 22, 1930, to Hattie Birge Hopkins and Arthur Gorman Hopkins, the fourth of five children. She grew up in the family home on Hopson Street and later returned to live again in that wonderful home, filling it with much love, laughter and hospitality for many decades. It was only fitting that she spent her final hours in her own bed, surrounded by beloved family, in her ancestral home.

As a fourth-generation Shermanite, she was proud of her family’s heritage and was the official keeper of the family’s Birge, Bradford, Wharton and Hopkins ancestry, sharing stories often with kids, grandchildren (and sometimes total strangers).

She graduated from Sherman High School and attended Randolph-Macon College, then went on to graduate from The University of Texas. Like her older sisters Natalie and Patricia, Hoppy pledged Kappa Alpha Theta and was thrilled to attend both her daughter Jayne’s and granddaughter Leslie’s Theta initiations.

Of all Hoppy’s loves, the true love of her life was “her Joe” (Judge Joseph Malone Joiner). From being childhood neighbors in Sherman to high school sweethearts, then marrying in 1951, beautiful Hoppy and handsome Joe had a love affair for the ages. They had 5 children in 8 years, all little "JJ's": Jennie, Julie, Joey, Jill and Jayne. Many years of happy, busy, fun times followed, with both Hoppy and Joe diving into community projects and service commitments, along with being loving, fun, engaged parents to their own kids and a wide circle of relatives and neighbors.

One experience that was especially meaningful for them was being invited to the inauguration of President John F. Kennedy by family friend Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the House. They got a true taste of “Camelot” and Hoppy was resplendent in her lovely gown at the Inaugural Ball. Hoppy and Joe remained active in both local and state politics throughout their lives, with Joe serving in several elected offices.

Not long after being elected State District Judge (59th District Court), disaster struck when Joe was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in 1987. He soon became completely bedridden, losing the ability to speak and move. Hoppy cared for her beloved Joe at home with extraordinary dedication for over 22 years until his passing. In doing so, she not only exemplified “for better or for worse, in sickness and in health” but was a living, loving testament to all who knew them to the power of enduring love.

Hop also took the phrase “love thy neighbor” seriously and expressed love for her entire community. As such, she was involved a wide variety of civic and church activities.

In addition to being a fulltime mother, wife and caregiver, Hoppy always had a passionate and compassionate heart for the Sherman community. In June of 1999, the Sherman city council proclaimed “Joe and Harriet Joiner Appreciation Day” in honor of their many years of service. Hoppy's love for people is reflected in the organizations she served: the Sherman Crisis Center, Sherman Service League, Hopkins Foundation, Crippled Children’s Center (now known as Grayson Rehab Center), After School Mentoring Program, Kidd-Key Auditorium Restoration Committee, Needlework Guild, Camp Fire Girls, Cub Scouts, and PTA.

Hoppy was a lifelong member of the First United Methodist Church of Sherman—a true family church attended by her parents and siblings, and now by her children. Hoppy was active in and initiated many FUMC ministries, serving on the Administrative Board, the Board of Trustees, Commission on Missions, Friends of UMC, Great Days of Service Committee and United Methodist Women. She taught Vacation Bible School and participated in Women’s Bible Studies, Prayer Groups and Discipleship Groups, and organized numerous church outreaches, bazaars, and other special events.

She was quick to see the needs of others, advocate for new services and then follow through relentlessly until the deed was done. She was a co-founder of the North Texas Youth Connection (formerly Juvenile Alternatives), Sherman Youth Center, Parents League, and Home Hospice of Grayson County. In 1994, Hoppy contacted WFAA and organized the first “Project 8 Family First Town Meeting” in Sherman, providing a public format for diverse groups to begin working together on major community issues. In honor of Joe’s struggle with ALS and to support other caregivers, Hoppy also volunteered with the ALS Association and helped to facilitate their annual March of Faces.

Hoppy is survived by her five children: Jennie Carrell and her husband, Steve of Austin; Julie Moon and her husband, Dana of Longview; Joe Joiner and his wife, Jacque of Sherman; Jill Roberts and her husband, Joe of Sherman; and Jayne Grimes and her husband, Don of Dallas; along with eight grandchildren: Justin Moon and his husband, Brant McFarlain, of Dallas; Emily Moon of Dallas; Luke Carrell and his wife, Lara, of New York City; Rebekah Roberts of Sherman; Jamison Joiner and his wife, Kelsey, of Dallas; Carly Grimes of Dallas; Leslie Grimes of Dallas; and Will Grimes of Dallas. In addition to her precious Joe, Hoppy was preceded in death by her parents, along with siblings Natalie Wharton Hopkins, Patricia Elizabeth Hopkins, Arthur Gorman Hopkins, Jr. and Hammond Warfield Hopkins.

Our entire family would also like to express deep gratitude to the many caregivers who have provided loving support to our mother over the years,

A celebration of her life and legacy will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 15, 2018, at the First United Methodist Church in Sherman, 401 N Elm St,, Sherman, TX. The Reverend Chris Dowd will officiate. A private burial service will follow for the family.

The family will welcome friends from 6 -8 p.m. on Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at Dannel Funeral Home, 302 S Walnut St., Sherman, TX. You may send online condolences at www.Dannelfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the First United Methodist Church in Sherman in Hoppy's memory.

As her grandchildren expressed so beautifully, “Mamie was an unbelievable source of steadfast love for her grandchildren, showing us daily what it means to be a faithful and humble servant. The memories made in her house were irreplaceable – each filled with laughter, late night talks, and words of wisdom.” “We know you are now at peace, but we will selfishly miss your wit, humor, advice, and most of all, the undying love you had for your family. We will never forget that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected’ and know that your amazing legacy of love will live on with our family. We love you sweet Mamie!”