Ruth Via Hopper Obituary (1946 - 2021)

MADISON - Ruth Via Hopper, 75, died on Friday, November 5, 2021 at her residence. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 9, 2021 in the Colonial Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in the Ellisboro Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home and all other times at the home of her daughter, Deanna. Mrs. Hopper was born on February 11, 1946 in Rockingham County to the late Lester Earl Via and Myrtle Ruth Joyce Via. Ruth was known for her strong work ethic and retired from Gem-Dandy after thirty-one years of service. She enjoyed gambling and eating out with her sisters each Friday while her health allowed. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin Jackson Hopper, Sr.; daughter, Carol Anne Hopper; brothers, Lester Via, Jr. and Darrell Via and sister, Cindy Lou Via. Survivors include her daughter, Deanna Hopper Sizemore (Bobby); sons, Billie Dean Hopper (Penny) and Melvin "Junebug" Hopper, Jr.; grandchildren, Dean Sizemore, Chris Sizemore (Allie), Misty Nelson (Dustin), Matthew Hopper, Cole Atkins, Tori Hopper, Chelsea Hopper and Nicholas Brogdon; 11 great-grandchildren;special friend, Paul Tilley; sisters, Debbie Chaney (Benny), Patricia Lester (Charlie), Earlene Pugh and Bonnie Cerious; sister-in-law, Inez Via and brothers, Larry Via (Christine), Bluford Via (Wendy) and William Via. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, PO Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375 and/or the Barry Joyce Cancer Fund, 725 Ayersville Road, Madison, NC 27025. Colonial Funeral Home in Madison is serving the family. Condolences may be offered at www.colonialfh.net