Debra Chesson Hopkins, 60, of 295 Jones Town Road, Gum Neck Community, died Saturday, December 26, 2015 at Vidant Medical Center, Greenville.

Born in Chowan County, February 6, 1955, she was the daughter of Thelma Pierce Chesson of Roper and the late Gordon Chesson. She was married to Ambrose Blaine Hopkins who survives.

She was a graduate of East Carolina University and received her BA degree in Education. She retired as a teacher with the Tyrrell County Schools after 33 years of service in elementary education. She was a member of Gum Neck Church of Christ where she served in various capacities and lived out her strong Christian faith as she served her Lord. She served as a member of the Tyrrell County Board of Social Services, was an active member of the Gum Neck Volunteer Fire Department Women's Auxiliary and was known for her desire to keep things organized as she helped her church and community. Her hobbies included "keeping the store at Gum Neck" and reading her Bible daily.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Gum Neck Church of Christ. Jon Langley and Phil Emmert will officiate. Burial will follow in the Soundside Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery where Rev. Joe Wynns will officiate in the committal.

In addition to her mother and husband, she is survived by a son, Erik K. Hopkins of Wilmington; a daughter, Debra Nicole H. Emery and husband, Justin of Wilmington; a sister, Freda C. Phelps and husband, Charles of Creswell; two nieces, Natalie Chesson Pope of Raleigh and Emilou Phelps Spruill and husband, Danny of Creswell.

She was also preceded in death by a brother, Larry Chesson.

Memorials are suggested to American Cancer Society, 930-A Wellness Drive, Greenville NC 27834 or The Jimmy V. Foundation, www.jimmyv.org/ 106 Towerview Court, Cary NC 27513 or The Gum Neck Church of Christ Memorial Fund, c/o Paula R. Brickhouse, Treas. 776 S. Gum Neck Road, Columbia NC 27925 or The Soundside Missionary Baptist Church Missionary Fund, c/o Tonya Davenport, Treas., 177 Riverneck Road, Columbia NC 27925.

The family will receive friends at Bryan Funeral Service, Columbia Chapel, on Tuesday evening, December 29 between 6 p. m. and 8 p.m.

BRYAN FUNERAL SERVICE, COLUMBIA CHAPEL

Tuesday December 29th, 2015

6:00pm - 8:00pm

162 L A KEISER DR.
COLUMBIA, NC 27925

Cemetery Location

SOUND SIDE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH CEMETERY

Wednesday December 30th, 2015

2607 SOUND SIDE ROAD
COLUMBIA, NC 27925

Funeral Service

GUM NECK CHURCH OF CHRIST

Wednesday December 30th, 2015

2:00pm

1516 SOUTH GUM NECK RD.
COLUMBIA, NC 27925