Barbara Jean Hopkins Tingle

Obituary For Barbara Jean Hopkins Tingle

The Life of Barbara Jean Hopkins began on September 8, 1939. She was born as the eldest of nine, to the late Lewis and Annie Lee Hopkins. The Life of Barbara Jean Tingle ended on September 8, 2025 (her 86th birthday). Her Christian journey began at an early age in Savoy, Mississippi at New Prospect Missionary Baptist Church.

Barbara grew up in Savoy, where she was affectionately known as “Bonnie.” At the age of 6, Barbara began cooking many dishes, taking notes from her mother. The Lady knew how to cook, putting her “toes” and “feet” in every recipe, and was featured in the local Meridian Star newspaper as a “jack of all trades” when presenting her dis collections.

Barbara’s educational and professional career included TJ Harris High School, the Meridian Junior College, and Mississippi State College, branch of Meridian. She worked in the Meridian Public School District for fifty years. Throughout those years, Barbara’s various positions included secretary, teacher assistant, administrative assistant, and bookkeeper. Even after retirement, she was highly sought after because of her impeccable skill set and gold standards.

The Lady married her first husband, John Ed Griffin on July 17, 1960. To this loving union, three children (Damita, Sandra, and James) were born. They worshipped and served together at St Paul United Methodist Church. Barbara served as the church secretary and a soprano songbird in the senior choir. Barbara also participated in a 34-voice choir concert in Savoy. Her first marriage of thirty-eight years, was parted by the death of John Ed in November 1998.

In the early spring of 2003, The Lady met by “accident”, Rev. Leon Tingle, whose wife had passed in January of 2002, also a “jack of all trades.” Following a brief courtship, they united in holy matrimony and as Servants of Christ on May 29, 2003.

Barbara had also moved her membership to Fifth Street Missionary Baptist Church, where she continued to serve. In 2017, she was called into the gospel ministry and was licensed to preach.

The Lady not only could cook, sing and serve, but was a member of the Vicountesses Professional Club, the Heroines of Jericho, and the recording secretary for the Council of Organizations Committee and the Martin Luther King Committee.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Annie Lee Hopkins, her first husband, John Ed Griffin, her four brothers, Randolph Hopkins, Alvin Hopkins, John Ralph Hopkins, and Lewis Hopkins, Jr., a nephew, Lenny Washington, her mother in law, Virgie D. Grady, and her four brothers in law, Monroe Walton Sr., Carl Long, William Tingle, and David Tingle.

The Legacy continues as she leaves to cherish her memories, her loving, devoted, faithful and attentive caregiver of twenty-two years Leon Tingle, her three children, Damita Griffin Bynes (Lavern), Sandra Dee Griffin, and James Edward Griffin (Juanita), her bonus daughter, Katrina Tingle, thirteen grandchildren, eighteen great grandchildren, four sisters: Annie Ruth Walton, Mae Frances Washington (William), Lareace Long, and Carrie Trussell (Lamar), two sisters in law, Sylvia Watley and Claudine Williams, two brothers in law, Sam Tingle and Billy Tingle, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and many dear friends.

Announcement Courtesy of Davis Funeral Home.