Harry Henry & Nina Ozella (Brightwell) Hopkins

Harry Henry Hopkins was born on January 21, 1931 to Clarence Isaac “Jack” Hopkins and Martha Luvicie “Vicie” Hopkins at Dibble, OK. God sent His Angel to bring Harry to his eternal home. He passed away on July 10, 2014.

Harry graduated from Dibble High School as President of his class in 1948. Harry was church pianist at the Free Will Baptist church in Dibble, OK, playing for revivals, weddings, and funerals during his high school years. He married Nina Brightwell, the love of his life since Jr. High School , on June 10 1948. The next year Harry was recruited by Magnolia Oil Company in Abeline, TX., where he and Nina lived for 4 ½ years. Their son, Neil, was born there. They moved back to Oklahoma for Harry to complete his education. While Harry was at OU, Carl Jack and Anita were born. Harry worked for Harper Oil for a few years before joining Norman Municipal Hospital, now Norman Regional Hospital. During this time Harry earned a degree in Hospital Administration from Oklahoma Baptist University. Their fourth child, Paul David, was born during his early years at the hospital.

Harry served two terms as President of Oklahoma Hospital Financial Managers Association. Two Terms as President of the Hospital Public Relations committee for the state of Oklahoma. Harry was appointed by Gov. George Nigh in 1970 to the Selective Service State Board of Oklahoma where he served for 10 years. Harry served as general chairman of the American Red Cross in Norman for one year. Harry served on the Norman Board of Public Safety for two terms as president for two years. He was a member of the board of directors fo the American Heart Association and also serving on the board of directors the American Cancer Society of Cleveland County as Chairman for one term. From the hospital, where he worked for Dick Luttrell for 25 years, Harry took a job as Administrator of Medicenter-Health South Rehabilitation Hospital for several years until the Symcox Family offered Harry to join them as the Auditor of City National Bank and First Fidelity Bank. He worked for three generations of the family, Raymond, Don and Phil, and Lee. He always talked about their being men of high integrity.

Harry was always active in his children’s schools and served as PTA president of Adams and Mckinley Schools. Harry and Nina opened a Hallmark Store, “Nina’s Hallmark”. After 15 years they retired for the last and final time and this truly was a time for grandchildren and family. Harry joined First Baptist Church of Norman on May 30, 1954. During these wonderful years Harry served as chair of deacons, Sunday School Superintendent, Training Union Director, Chairman of the personnel committee, and member of most committees. Harry was the only member of the First Baptist Church who has served on three Pastor Search Committees. Two special committees that Harry served on at the FBC were Vision Community, appointed by Dr. Greg Hunt and the Administrative Leadership team, consisting of four men who were chairman of deacons, personnel, and trustees, plus a staff representative. Duties were to act in the absence of the pastor. Our Pastor had resigned and a new one was not called for several months. The committee was active for 2 years. He always enjoyed his time working in the church where he lived. He and Nina and their four children were very faithful in attendance at all the services.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one beloved grandson, Nathan Neal; brothers, Elzie and Carl Hopkins; three sisters, Jane Simpson, Helen York and Lois Robinson.

He is survived by his wife, Nina; daughter, Anita Hopkins Neal and her husband Jay; sons, Neil and his wife Ann, Carl and his wife Karee, Paul and his wife Kellie; grandchildren, Cooper Hopkins, Carson Hopkins, Foster Hopkins, Holly Hopkins Erickson and her husband Beau, Hunter Hopkins and his wife Emily, Hays Hopkins, Carl Jack Hopkins, Jr. and his wife Beth, Jennifer Neal Vaughn and her husband Roger, Greg Hopkins and his wife Laura, Julie Hopkins Bennett and her husband Chris, Mason Hopkins and his wife Christine and twenty-one great grandchildren and another great grandchild due in December. Many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends who meant so much to him.

Harry loved his family and loved his “Nina” with a passion and treasured the many years they had together. He loved his children and grandchildren and the new generation of great grandchildren. He was always a Daddy and ready for giving advice and a dollar, being generous beyond measure. He wanted to set an example of what a leader of a family should be. Even more than family, he loved his Lord and prayed that his family would stay close to God in preparation of that grand and glorious reunion with Jesus.

Visitation will be held 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Sunday, July 13 and 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Monday, July 14 with family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. on Monday, July 14 at Havenbrook Funeral Home of Norman. Services will begin at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 15, at First Baptist Church, 211 W. Comanche Street, Norman, OK 73069. Interment will follow in the Blanchard Cemetery, Blanchard, OK.
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Nina Ozella Brightwell was born on July 19, 1929 to Cecil and Orean Brightwell at Blanchard, Oklahoma. On October 6, 2017 Nina went home to Heaven to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Nina graduated from Blanchard High School in 1948. Shortly after graduation she married the love of her life, Harry Hopkins. They began dating in the 7th grade and were married for 66 years. Nina worked at J.C. Penney’s for 26 years before Harry and Nina opened their own Hallmark Store, “Nina’s Hallmark” in Norman, Oklahoma. Nina loved taking family members with her to the Dallas market where many fun memories were made along with a lot of hard work. After 15 years Nina and Harry sold their store and retired. Their retirement years were spent traveling with the First Baptist Church group from Norman, keeping grandchildren and taking their four grown children along with their spouses all over the world. Nina and Harry joined First Baptist Church of Norman in 1954. They were active members and loved their church family. Nina taught the 7th grade girls Sunday School Class for many years and was ordained a deaconess in the church. Nina was a poet, writing poetry to all her children, grandchildren and for the Blanchard Alumni 50th reunion. She wrote a poem about 9-11 and sent it to President Bush. She graciously received a letter back from the president. She entered various poetry contests over the years and became quite the writer. Her favorite poetry was written to her husband, Harry. Nina was actively involved in the American Cancer Society of Cleveland County. She was a cancer survivor of 37 years. Nina participated in the Relay for Life and other annual events. Nina also became quite the artist in her final year of life. With only a few art lessons she was painting remarkable work that amazed us all. Nina’s biggest passion was her love for Jesus Christ and her family. She wanted more than life itself for all of her family to have salvation. She witnessed with her words but most of all her actions. Nina had an amazing gift of loving people with her kind words and gentle spirit. People gravitated to her because she was beautiful inside and outside. Her love was genuine. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends.

Nina was preceded in death by her parents, Cecil and Orean Brightwell, her husband, Harry Hopkins, son, Carl Hopkins, grandson, Nathan Neal, her sister, Maxine Brightwell, brothers, Retus Brightwell, Charles Brightwell, & Lloyd Brightwell.

She is survived by her sons, Neil Hopkins and his wife Ann, Paul Hopkins and his wife Kellie, daughter in law, Karee Hopkins, daughter, Anita Hopkins Neal and her husband Jay; grandchildren, Cooper Hopkins, Carson Hopkins, Foster Hopkins, Holly Hopkins Erickson and her husband Beau, Hunter Hopkins, Hays Hopkins, Carl Jack Hopkins and his wife Beth, Jennifer Neal Vaughn and her husband Roger, Greg Hopkins and his wife Laura, Julie Hopkins Bennett and her husband Chris, Mason Hopkins and his wife Christine, and twenty-five great grandchildren with another one on the way. She has many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends who she loves so dearly.

Services for Nina have been placed under the care of Havenbrook Funeral Home. Viewing will be at Havenbrook Funeral Home on Monday, October 9, 2017 from 5:00-8:00 pm.

We will remember and celebrate Nina’s life on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at 2:00 pm at First Baptist Church, Norman, with interment to follow at Blanchard Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Norman, 211 W Comanche St, Norman, OK 73069.

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This site may be freely linked, but not duplicated in any way without consent.
All rights reserved! Commercial use of material within this site is prohibited!
© 2000-2024 Oklahoma Cemeteries