Burkitt Ray Hopper, 95
August 13, 1930 – September 14, 2025
After a full 95 years of spending his life devoted to his family and working honestly to help his friends, Burkitt Ray Hopper departed this earthly life on Sunday, September 14, 2025, at Magnolia Hospital in Corinth, Mississippi.
Funeral services honoring Mr. Hopper’s life will be at 11 AM Wednesday, September 17, 2025, in the Heritage Chapel of the Ripley Funeral Home with Bro. Jeff Moore and Bro. Joe Spencer officiating. Visitation will be from 5:30 PM until 7 PM on Tuesday evening, September 16, 2025, at Ripley Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Providence Baptist Church Cemetery with no graveside, following the funeral service.
Born on August 13, 1930, at home in Tiplersville, Mississippi, Mr. Hopper was the son of the late William Burkitt and Sally Eunice Wilbanks Hopper. He received his education from Providence School before transferring to Chalybeate High School, where he graduated. On January 12, 1952, he married his beloved wife, Mrs. Jamie Jackson Hopper, who survives. For seventy-three years, they built a life together, planting their roots deep in the Tiplersville community and raising two sons grounded in strong Christian values.
A hard worker, Mr. Hopper built an honest living through a lifetime in the trucking industry and selling Ford tractors. A Christian man, he will be remembered most for his deep love for the great outdoors. He truly made the most of his life by doing what he loved—operating heavy equipment and moving dirt. Known for his perfectionist spirit, he believed in doing every project with excellence and never settling for “halfway work.” Even in his later years, he never forgot how to run a tractor and was still running one in the final weeks of his life.
Beyond his love for all things machinery, Mr. Hopper’s greatest joy came from his family. He cherished every moment with his wife, faithfully looked after his sons, and delighted in the company of his grandchildren. His devotion to family was the heartbeat of his life.
To know Mr. Hopper was to know a man of integrity. He was an honest worker, a faithful family man, and a true friend to all who crossed his path. His legacy will live on in the fields he tended, the community he served, and the loved ones who carry his memory forward with gratitude and pride.
In addition to his wife, Mrs. Jamie, his legacy continues to live on through his two sons, David Hopper (Vickie), and Johnny Hopper (Teresa), two grandchildren, Dayna Armstrong (Justin), and Jody Akins (Jennifer), nine great grandchildren, thirteen great great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.
He is also preceded in death by one granddaughter, Nicole Hopper Taylor, two sisters, Eunice Ilene Hopper Smith, and Neva Lynn Hopper Shappley.
Those serving as pallbearers will be James Baker, Jeff Willingham, Carnell Simelton, Scott McCall, Paul Gibens, and Rob Hill.
Ripley Funeral Home invites you to share memories with Mr. Hopper’s family.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
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Funeral Service
Wednesday
September 17, 2025
11:00 AM
Heritage Chapel of Ripley Funeral
