Dee Hopkins

Dee Connerley Hopkins, PhD, passed away on August 30, 2026. She was born in Bedford, Indiana, on September 9, 1947.

As a child, Dee was constantly telling stories to her playmates. This gift of storytelling became an integral part of Dee’s life. Her stories enhanced the lives of others and engaged the imaginations of many children.

Upon graduating from high school, Dee began her college years at Indiana University. Her college career culminated in Dee earning a PhD in elementary education and library science.

Dee began her life’s work in academia as a professor of Education and Human Development. She taught Library Science and Storytelling at the University of Wyoming. Her stories became renowned, and she was sought throughout the west professionally.

In her thirteenth year at UW, she was recruited to serve as Dean of South Dakota State University’s School of Education. Dee went on to serve as Dean of the College of Education at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and completed her career as Dean of the College of Education and Human Services at West Virginia University.

Dee made time for enjoyable activities when she wasn’t in the halls of learning. Some of her favorites were horseback riding, country dancing, cross-country skiing, and all types of games and puzzles.

In 2011, Dee retired to Abingdon, Virginia, to be near her sister. Never one to sit still, Dee soon became involved in multiple community organizations: Newcomer’s Club, Page Turners Book Club, Arts Depot painting group, Philanthropic Educational Organization, Garden Club, Madrigal Singers, and Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church Choir. She enjoyed testing new recipes, entertaining, and continued sharing her gift of telling stories.

Dee was preceded in death by her parents, Cliff and Belma Frances Connerley; her husband, Robert (Bob) George Hopkins; and her longtime companion, Robert Neeb.

She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Lee Massicotte; her brother and sister-in-law, Tom and Beth Connerley; her daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Robert Laidlaw; her grandchildren, Ian, Matthew, and Paige Laidlaw; and three nieces, and one nephew.

A remembrance service will be held in the chapel followed by a celebration of life reception in the parlor. Both will be held at Sinking Spring Presbyterian Church in Abingdon, Virginia, on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Parkinson’s Research Foundation.

The family of Dee Hopkins is being cared for by Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 E. Main Street, Abingdon, VA 24210.