Doris Ellen Hopkins

Doris Ellen Hopkins was born January 8, 1943 to Marjorie Lee Frerichs and J. H. Frerichs in Texarkana, Texas as the 3rd child of 5 children. Doris was 82 years old when she passed. Doris grew up in Willis, Texas and at that time they were members of the Willis Methodist Church. She attended Willis elementary school and graduated Willis High School and then studied at Sam Houston State University for 2 years. Doris excelled in athletic abilities and was a fierce competitor in all school sports. Doris was the captain of the girls’ football team, pitcher on the girls’ softball team, guard on the basketball team and volleyball team, and helped win many tournaments. Doris was always an avid horse lover. She learned to ride early in her preteen years and could be seen riding horses all over Willis with her friends every day. She was a barrel racer and she enjoyed it greatly and entered in local rodeo contests. She got her love of horses at an early age from her father who raised and trained quarter horses and all breeds. Doris was a member of the Sam Houston Trail Riders Association for many years. They also made the long trail ride from Montgomery Texas to Houston’s Memorial Park that kicked off the big Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Parade through Houston for a number of years. Doris moved to California in the 60’s where she met her husband Kenneth Hopkins and they had 3 children together. In 1969 they moved back home to the Willis/Conroe area which became home for many years. They were members of the East Side of Assembly of God Church in Conroe. In the late 70’s they moved to Huntsville where her husband became a Huntsville Police Officer and they finished raising their children in Huntsville. Doris and her family were active members of the First Assembly of God Church for many years and she still attended up until her passing. Doris was a Rural letter carrier for the Huntsville Post Office for 20 years. She enjoyed gardening and helping others. Doris was a giver and considered “that” to be her Christian calling as well as letting her life as a disciple of Christ be her testimony and her gift back to Jesus. Doris’s biggest love was her 3 children and she was very proud of them. She has wonderful memories with them and will be deeply missed. Doris was loved by her family and friends and her legacy will live on in them. Doris is preceded in death by her beloved Daughter, Cari Ellen Hopkins and her Son Dwight Hopkins, her granddaughter Brittany Nicole McWilliams, her parents J.H. Frerichs and Marjorie Frerichs, Uncle and Aunt Bill and Mattie Lou Frerichs, her sisters Theresa Calfee and Marion Barker, her niece Blythe Calfee, her nephew Kenny Willis and the father of her children Kenneth Hopkins. Left to cherish her is her beloved daughter Lani Maness and her husband Leslie Maness. Her granddaughters Dani Hopkins, Kelsi Maness, Kendyl Hopkins and Katrina Hopkins, her grandsons Kyle Maness and wife Natali, Kurt Maness and wife Tiffany. Along with her 4 Great Grand Children, Kannen and Kenneth Maness and Grayson and Cari Maness. Doris is also blessed with Nieces, Tracey Willis, Katy Francis, Haley Frerichs and Paige Frerichs. Nephews Keith Calfee and Caleb Frerichs and many extended family and friends. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at 1:00 PM and services will begin at 2:00 PM at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville. Doris will be laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery - Addicks Addition, next to her beloved daughter Cari and with the ashes of her cherished son Dwight. Memorial condolences to the family may be made at www.shmfh.com.

Doris Ellen Hopkins

January 8, 1943 - October 30, 2025