Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Monroe Hopper, Founding Member of The Hoppers, Passes Away

(May 18, 2013) Madison, NC – Monroe Hopper graduated to his heavenly home in the morning hours of Friday, May 17, 2013 at the age of 86. In 1957, Mr. Hopper was a founding member of The Hoppers in 1957, then known as The Hopper Brothers.

Mr. Hopper was born on December 26, 1926 in Rockingham County, NC. In addition to helping form the Hoppers, he was a US Navy Veteran and a pioneer leader in establishing the Hopper Heritage Foundation, which assists young men and women in pursuing their educational goals.

“Monroe was my best friend,” said brother Claude Hopper. “Anything I needed anything – on the farm, on the road, at the house – my first call was always to Monroe. He took care of things back home while The Hoppers were traveling. I will miss my brother, my best friend.”

Monroe made his last public appearance in mid-2012 as The Hoppers were inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame alongside Aretha Franklin, Dallas Holm, Ricky Skaggs, Rex Humbard, and Love Song.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Joyce Gurganious Hopper; children, Jimmy Hopper (Linda), David Hopper (special friend, Sandra), Sharon Hopper (Mike Gonet), Cathy Bell (Frank), Virginia “Ginger” Horn (Bill); brothers, Will R. Hopper (Peggy), Claude D. Hopper (Connie), B. Wayne Hopper (Shirley), Richard D. Hopper (Shirley), Steve D. Hopper (Pat); sisters, Virginia H. Steele, Octola H. Currin and Catherine H. Pearson; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Janie Hopper; mother-in-law, Colleen Gurganious; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jenny and Margaret Hopper, Clarence and Jean Barnes, Don and Kay Rouse, and many nephews and nieces.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013, at Ellisboro Baptist Church with Reverend Darrell Brumfield officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors by the Rockingham County Honor Guard and the North Carolina National Guard.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8:30 p.m., Sunday, May 19, 2013 at Colonial Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, 2150 NC Highway 65, Reidsville, NC 27320; Ellisboro Baptist Church, c/o Nell Knight, 1734 Ellisboro Road, Madison, NC 27025; or The Hopper Heritage Foundation, 2811 Hwy 220, Madison, NC 27025.