Joan Driskell Hopkins

Joan Driskell Hopkins went to live with the Angels on Friday, February 21, 2025.

Born in Norris, Tennessee on November 20, 1946, Joan had been a resident of Gainesville, Georgia since June of 1973. She was a shining light in the Gainesville community and was loved by everyone who knew her. She was a long-time member of Grace Episcopal Church. Joan served as President of the Gainesville Ballet Company for 15 years and was a President of the Junior Service League. She served in the Northeast Georgia Health Systems Auxiliary. Joan was very active in many leadership roles in Scouting including Tiger Cubs, Cub Scouts, Webelos, and BSA Troop 26 Scout Mom for her Four Eagle Scout sons. As the first female Chairman of the BSA Chattahoochee District, she received the District Award of Merit, and the highest scouting award bestowed upon a civilian. She was named “Woman of The Year” by the Gainesville Rotary Club and worked for many years raising money for the Gainesville High School Theatre Program. 

Most importantly, she was mom, mama and MoMo to all of her family as well as countless others in the community, young and old, who she loved as her own. Because of the love of Mama Hop, the Hopkins home has always been full of love, friends, good food and the smell of fresh baked “MoMo” bread. Joan exuded warmth, grace, class, beauty, sweetness, kindness, generosity and loving thoughtfulness. She enriched the lives of anyone who had the pleasure of knowing her. She was the definition of unconditional love and the personification of the book “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein. Even though she was breathtakingly beautiful, she was humbly never aware of it. On many occasions, she showed everyone her love through cooking seemingly endless delicious meals for her family and countless unannounced guests. Her fresh baked bread was legendary. She was always welcoming, loving and slow to anger. She raised the bar for patience, kindness, and beauty. For at least the last 20 years, she could be found cheerfully playing on her hands and knees with at least one of her 10 grand babies. She was a mover. She was a doer. Everything she did was better for having been touched by Joan.

 She is survived by her husband of 60 years Ralph Hopkins, her son John Driskell Hopkins, his wife Jennifer and their daughters Grace, Faith and Hope, her son David Hopkins, his wife Milla and their son Doc, her son Michael Hopkins, his wife Cassie and their sons Booker and Leiland, her son Mark, his wife Cynda and their children Audrey, Luke, James and Jude.

 “Sometimes it makes me sad, though... your friend being gone. I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend.” -Shawshank Redemption

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to John Driskell Hopkins’ foundation hoponacure.org which is dedicated to finding a cure for ALS.

A Celebration of life service will be held Saturday March 29th at 2:00 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church.

Those wishing to share memory or condolence with the family can visit Mrs. Hopkins online guestbook at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements