Hopkins, Florence – 1883-1906

BAKER, HOPKINS

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:36

Ending of a Beautiful Life
Miss Florence Hopkins, a teacher in the public schools of Colfax, passed away from earth last Saturday morning, after an illness of less than three days, a victim of acute appendicitis, at the age of 23 years, 3 months and 3 days. Up to Wednesday morning she had not been ailing to an extent that caused her to give up her place in the school room, but upon calling a physician her condition appeared so alarming that an operation was at once decided upon with the meager hope of saving her life. The result of the operation was inevitable blood poisoning, and the result came within 24 hours.
Florence May Hopkins was born in Newton, but since a little girl of eight years she has resided in Colfax. Some years ago she was graduated from our city high school, and for the past four years she had served faithfully and satisfactorily as a teacher in the grades of the same institution. She was most beautiful in character and her cheerfulness in the discharge of her duties was imparted without effort to her idolizing pupils.
She had been a member since twelve years of age, of the Howard Street Christian Church, and carried into her daily duties the evidence of the Christian spirit dwelling within her. Her devotion and loyalty to Christ have left a lasting example for and impression upon all who came within her influence. In the home circle she was idolized as a loving, dutiful daughter, and affectionate sister, and among her friends – who include the entire range of her acquaintances – she was blessed and beloved.
Her father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. S. S. Hopkins, her brothers, Ralph and Cyrus, her sisters, Vera and Grace, and Mr. Ralph Baker to whom she was soon to have been married, all share the sincerest sympathy of our people in this, their great bereavement.
Her funeral last Sunday afternoon was from the little church, where for eleven years past, she had served so faithfully as member of the choir. Rev. A. M. Haggard, of Des Moines, conducted the services which called together the largest audience ever in attendance there. The members of the school board officiated as pall bearers and the teachers preceded the casket as honorary pall bearers.
The floral tributes were beautiful and in great quantities, their fragrance and beauty silently typifying the sweetness and loveliness of the life of silent sleeper. The interment was at Oak Hill, where kind hands did much to dispel the gloom of the grave with decorations of flowers. There she was tenderly laid to rest to await the “resurrection of the dead,” of which she so sweetly sang on Easter Morning only one week before.
Source: The Colfax Clipper; April 28, 1906