Lois Hopkins, North County
Teaching Across Generations
Lois Hopkins came about her talents honestly. Her mother was a teacher, and when Lois was a teenager, her mother fell ill. Lois took care of her, even learning sewing from her mother. “I was fascinated by the sewing machine.” Lois matriculated at Madison College (now James Madison University) which at the time was an all girls’ school, “where the doors were locked at 10:00pm and no boys allowed,” she smiles. She received her graduate degree from Virginia Tech—in education. Lois taught home economics for thirty-four years, three of which also included teaching English. “To seventh graders, which is not the easiest job in the world!” Her first teaching post was in Frederick County, but her mother fell ill again, so she moved to Roanoke to help the family. Lois finished out her teaching career at Breckenridge Junior High.
“It’s their wonderment that something works the way it does.” That is Lois’ explanation of why she loves teaching—especially sewing. She enjoys the enthusiasm and excitement kids have when they learn something new to them. Perhaps that’s why she can’t stop educating young minds. Her retirement as a schoolteacher hasn’t meant retirement from teaching. Lois tutors at Huff Lane elementary school, and recently, she has begun teaching sewing to two of Northminster’s own. Both girls are rising seventh graders, so they are a perfect fit. The girls are learning sewing, but also more than sewing. They are building relationships with each other, and with Lois. And are they learning a good work ethic? Delayed gratification? The seemingly rare talents of listening and patience? Lois grins. “Yes—a little bit.”
Lois’ teaching two young church members how to sew is about education. It is about building relationships. It is even about young minds learning diligence and patience. But it also strikes at the heart of what Lois loves about Northminster. It is the “feeling of family”, as Lois calls it. “We genuinely care about each other.” Certainly this caring is what makes Lois so passionate about Northminster, and what has kept her at the church since 1960: “This is a place of friendly people who are willing to share their love of the Lord with you.” The word ‘family’ isn’t used lightly. It was at Northminster that Lois met Ed Hopkins, and in 1976, Lois married Ed in the church sanctuary—now Northminster’s fellowship hall. He, too, is an educator. Northminster has given Lois a family in more ways than one. Now, she is passing it on. Oh, and as for Northminster’s future? Lois thinks the church will share this sense of family with others. In fact, Lois thinks it has to. “God has a special mission for Northminster.” With folks like Lois teaching and loving the next generation, surely that mission is well under way.