Mr. Earnest Lee Hopper, "Bro. Hopper," native of Cleveland County, NC, transitioned on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 at Atrium Health Cleveland Pines Nursing Care. He was born on May 30, 1947 to the late Oscar Lee Bowles and Elizabeth Hunt Hopper. He attended Green Bethel High School.

Bro. Hopper accepted Jesus Christ as his savior in 1972. He spent many years of his life traveling weekly to local nursing homes and "making his daily rounds" to various stores testifying of his relationship with Christ and singing God’s praises. Bro. Hopper was not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and wanted everyone he met to know that Jesus was real in his life. He never met a stranger. He proudly shared how he no longer smoked, drank, cursed, nor listened to rock and roll music. He was a true man of God who was serious about living a saved, sanctified, and Holy Ghost filled life for over 50 years. He attended various churches throughout the county and enjoyed sharing in the praise services. He was given many awards and recognized often for his commitment and outstanding devotion to various organizations.

He was employed at Bost Bakery, Dover Mill, The Budd Group at Hoechst Celanese, and Food Lion. He enjoyed hunting, fishing on land and by boat with his family, and playing basketball with his children.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his maternal grandfather Green Hunt, maternal grandmother Dolly Hunt, brother William Hopper, father and mother-in-law, Roberta and Maggie Cole Anderson, sister-in-law Diane Anderson, brothers-in-law William Anderson and Curtis Anderson, daughter-in-law Deborah Hopper, and grand-daughter Ja’Miracle Hopper.

Left to cherish many fond and lasting memories of him are his loving wife of 54 years, Jo Anna Hopper; children, Joe Davis Hopper of Shelby, NC, Belinda Smith (Frank) of Shelby, NC, Jamane Hopper (LaTonia) of Shelby, NC, Janice Hopper of Raleigh, NC, Clarissa Geter (Chris) of Shelby, NC, Jerome Hopper (Haley) of Gastonia, NC, god-son Randy Phillips (Lisa) of Gaffney, SC; siblings, Gertrude Byers of Charlotte, NC, Andrew Hopper (Brenda) of Shelby, NC, Christine Ashe of Shelby, NC, and Joan Powell of Clinton, MA, -in-laws James Anderson of Kings Mountain, NC, Johnny Anderson of Gaffney, SC, Mattie Anderson of Grover, NC, George Anderson (Pam) of Shelby, NC; special friends, Howard Davis, James Peeler, and the late Frank Oates and Apostle Eugene Brooks; 20 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Visitation and funeral services will be held on Monday, July 24, 2023 at Miracle Tabernacle International Ministries (MTIM) located at 120 White Jenkins Rd., Bessemer City, NC. The family will receive friends beginning at 12:30 PM and funeral services will begin at 1:00 PM. The family will also receive friends at 114 Thamon Rd. Shelby, NC following the services from 4:00-8:00 PM.