Maryem Fowlkes Hopkins

Maryem Fowlkes Hopkins “89” died in Gulfport on September 22, 2023 surrounded by her loving family.

Maryem was born in New Orleans, Louisiana to Samuel Hatcher Fowlkes and his wife, Maryem Colbert Fowlkes on June 28, 1934. At 6 years of age, she moved with her family to Handsboro, Mississippi, now part of Gulfport, where she attended Handsboro Elementary and was a 1952 graduate of Gulfport High School.  Maryem continued her education at Sophie Newcomb College in New Orleans where she was President of the Newcomb College student body, the recipient of the Class of 1909 Honor Award, a member of the Homecoming court for Tulane University, and a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She graduated with Honors in 1956 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English.

Maryem married George Pearce “Buddy” Hopkins, Jr. in 1956 where they enjoyed 50 years of marriage and raised 3 children.  She was genuinely interested in everyone she met and loved and enjoyed being with her longtime friends and making and being with new friends. Maryem was an active member of St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church for over 60 years, serving on the alter guild and church vestry. She was a past President of the Four Seasons Garden Club, a life member and past President of Merry Maskers, where she was a past Queen of the Merry Maskers Ball, and an honorary life member and past President of The Revelers Carnival Organization. Maryem was a longtime member of the Gulfport Yacht Club, where she met her husband, and they enjoyed sailing and motor boating and attended many GYA regattas over the years.  One of her favorite times of the year was sailing back home from the Gulfport-Pensacola Race and exploring the islands on the way back to Gulfport. Maryem was also a member of The Heritage Antique Club, The Culture Club, Millennium Club and a sustaining member of the Gulfport Junior Auxiliary. She was an avid reader and always enjoyed learning and attaining knowledge. Her love and knowledge of many things, especially Antiques and Antique prints, was instrumental in helping to find furnishings and period pieces for the early preservation of Grass Lawn.

Maryem was preceded in death by her parents, Samuel Hatcher Fowlkes and Maryem Colbert Fowlkes and her husband, George Pearce Hopkins, Jr.

She is survived by her children, George Pearce Hopkins, III (Becky) of Gulfport, Maryem “Mimi” Hopkins Magee (Charlie) of Jacksonville, FL, and Samuel Fowlkes Hopkins, Sr. (Danielle) of Gulfport. She is also survived by her sister, Meade Fowlkes Wenzel of New Orleans, Louisiana and her ten grandchildren: George Pearce Hopkins, IV (Mallory), Trisha Hopkins Monroe (Shane), Blake Goss Hopkins (Paige), Charles Harrison Magee (Megan), Henry Rives Magee, Mary Emily Magee, Marshall Meade Magee, Samuel Fowlkes Hopkins, Jr., Alexander De Metz Hopkins and Katherine Fitzpatrick Hopkins; and 6 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at St. Peter’s by the Sea Episcopal Church in Gulfport, Mississippi on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at 11:00 am with a visitation starting at 10:00 am. Interment will follow the service at Evergreen Cemetery. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home, 15^th Street, Gulfport is honored to serve the Hopkins family.