Mrs. Emma Thurman Hopper departed this life for her eternal home on Wednesday October 5, 2022 at Atrium Health Cleveland in Shelby, NC. She was born on October 4, 1937 in Cleveland County, NC to the late Johnny and Daisy Malone Thurman.

Emma attended Douglas High School in Lawndale, NC and was employed with P.P.G. Industries for 21 years. She was a member of Palmer Grove Baptist Church where she joined as a child. Emma was a funny, loving, caring person who never met a stranger. She enjoyed cooking, entertaining and babysitting.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Hopper; a son, Herman Hopper; grandchildren, Ricky Epps, Jacques McEntyre, Tyjuan Hopper and Jermale Hopper; brothers, J. T. Thurman, Willie Thurman, Harvey Thurman, Jimmy Thurman, James Thurman, Alfred Maddox and Horace Hartwick; sisters, Bessie Briscoe, Bertha Spikes, Ella Odom, Effre Ruff and Dee Rook.

She leaves to cherish precious memories to her children, William Hopper and Vanessa Kee both of Lawndale, NC, Ricky Hopper (Regina) of Kingstown, NC, Gina Fowler and Barry Hopper both of Shelby, two grandchildren who were raised in the home, Rieko Haynes and Tyjuanna Hopper; one sister, Annie Johnson of Shelby; fourteen grandchildren; thirty-eight great-grandchildren; eight great-great grandchildren; special friends, Eunice Simmons and Ruth Thurman; sister-in-law, Edahalia Schenck (Donald); brother-in-law, Jesse Hopper both of Lawndale and a host of nieces, nephew, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Palmer Grove Baptist Church. Burial will take at the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:30AM until 11:00 AM and at other times at 2440 Oak Grove Road. Enloe Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.