The life he lived had to be admired
He was good and kind and all to be desired
We will remember his life with the utmost love
And, hope someday to meet him above
His garden once sewn by his own strong hands
Will lay empty and bare, a very lifeless land
The tractor that puttered along it rows
Now the tires won't move and the grass will grow
It's hopeless to wish for him to return
For he is gone, his bridges have burned
Only in our memory will he remain
And all this hurt I hope we can tame.
                                       By Connie Hopkins
Dedicated to
"Pete Hopkins"
"Paw Paw Hopkins"

Our family and friends have gathered
To be with each other, some with heads bowed
My tears are falling, and my pain is great
As we talk of your life, and talk of your fate

It is so hard to believe that you are gone
You were always there so caring and strong
My father, my friend I pray you can hear
How the memories of my life with you
I hold so dear.
                                     By Connie Hopkins
Dedicated to               Your Constance
"Daddy Joe"
"Paw Paw Strickland"  

You always said "You're gonna miss me when I am gone"
And, you were right I do,
More than you could have ever known.

Big brothers are special when they are like you
You could never be replaced with anyone new
Please take care of yourself
Because I am counting on you.

You are the colors in my rainbow
The points to my stars
You lift my spirits, you make me laugh
Our five-hour shone calls I will never forget.

You are an item that there are so few of Lee
Oh what a void there would be
If some morning I should wake
To find you were taken from me
I just love you so much, Lee.

Some calls were sad, and some were happy
Some were so much fun
My face would ache from laughing

It does not seem possible, it is so hard to believe
That we are the only two left of our family
So please remember for this reason
And so many others, my dear sweet brother
Take care of yourself.
                                           From your Lil Sis
                                            By Connie Hopkins

Beautiful trees that blow with the breeze
Birds up high flying in the sky
Shells on the beach always out of reach
Bees that zoom when flowers are in bloom
Stars so high they light the sky
Clouds so white and fluffy
Bushes of green with limbs so lean
Ants that go running
Cats so cunning
Soft little puppies with
Noses black as guppies
All these things we see
We know from where they come
God sends them to you and me
But for our children will they always be?                                                  
                                                       By Connie Hopkins

To me mother you're special
Understanding true and fine
You always think of others
You leave your own wants behind
I can tell you that I love you
And still, it does not express
The way I really feel
To me mom, you're the best.
                                   By Connie Hopkins

The child she's lost
She can't put a cost
It tears inside
That can't be denied
She'll come through
Because she has to
For the other little tot's
Be without her they will not.
                          By Connie Hopkins

He cries and weeps
His hurt is so deep
Stay close to love, to touch, and feel
This will help his hurt to heal.
                              By Connie Hopkins