PINE BLUFF — Thurman Eugene Hopkins
was born on August 7, 1941, in Bald Knob, Ark., to Annie Lou Warrick and Eugene Thurman Hopkins. He passed away at JRMC on February 13, 2021.
He was proceeded in death by his parents and son, Keith Hopkins. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn; his son, Kevin (Kelly) of Hot Springs, Ark.; grandsons, Matthew and Nicholas Hopkins of Lakewood, Colo.; granddaughter, Grace Lynne Hopkins of Pine Bluff, Ark.; brother, Kenneth (Sue/deceased) Hopkins of Hattiesburg, Miss.; sisters, Norma (Jerome) Boyd of Jonesboro, Ark., Carolyn Sue (Buddy/ deceased) Shivley of Marietta, Ga., and Linda Fay (Mike/deceased) Porter of Pine Bluff, Ark.; brother-in-law Richard (Ramona) Gordon; sister-in-law Marilyn (Ronald) Naylor and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Thurman graduated from Jonesboro High School and attended Arkansas State (College) University.
Thurman worked for Cotton Belt, Southern Pacific, and Union Pacific Railroad for 38 years as a conductor and brakeman out of Pine Bluff, Ark.
Thurman had a natural talent of rhythm and musical ability and developed his love for singing at the age of 15 after placing in a junior high talent contest. He soon discovered the drums and was recruited to play for Larry Donn Gillihan, Bobby Lee Trammel and other bands in the Jonesboro area.
After retirement, he continued his musical talents in Pine Bluff playing drums and singing specials with the Whispering Pines Cowboy Church Band.
Thurman was an active member of Greenlee Baptist Church serving wherever he was needed. He was a member of Pine Bluff Saddle, American Quarter Horse Association, and on the Hestand Stadium Board of Directors.
One of Thurman’s greatest loves was his horses. For 50 years, he dedicated much of his time breeding and raising quarter horses. He showed his horses in local, state, and AQHA shows. He won numerous trophies and buckles through the years. He trained horses for people all over the state and beyond, as well as giving riding and barrel lessons to all ages. His passion was contagious and he was highly respected and loved by so many in the horse business. Thurman’s bond with others who loved horses was incomparable and he will be dearly missed.
Funeral Services will be at Greenlee Baptist Church on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors. Visitation will be at 1 p.m. and funeral services at 2 p.m. The funeral service will be livestreamed for those unable to attend. Graveside service will be family only. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Greenlee Baptist Church or Whispering Pines Cowboy Church.
Online condolences and livestreaming at www.ralphrobinsonandson.com.