E.W. Hopkins lived a life powered by an extraordinary blend of faith, compassion, humility, energy, creativity, and loyalty—a force that fueled decades of leadership, service, and unwavering devotion to his family, his community, and his God.

Elbert Wesley Hopkins, Jr. died peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 28, 2025.

Born on April 6, 1928, in Wallace, FL, E.W. moved to Pensacola with his family when he was only a few weeks old.  He graduated from Pensacola High School and attended the University of Florida, Florida State University, and Pensacola Junior College before graduating from Auburn University in 1951.  He was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity.  He married his high school sweetheart, Jan Richardson, on October 20, 1951 while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, NC.  The couple moved to San Clemente, CA for E.W. to serve at Camp Pendleton as First Lieutenant until they returned to Pensacola in 1953.

Shortly after returning to Pensacola, E.W. joined Mutual Federal Savings and Loan Association which later became First Mutual ("Mutual") when converted into a stock company.  He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1963, became President in 1973, and became Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive in 1980.  During his 33-year tenure and leadership, the institution grew from $5 million to $750 million.  While at Mutual he completed the savings and loan graduate program of Indiana University.

Always striving to make his community a better place, E.W. was an enthusiastic leader and activist, serving many local organizations including Kiwanis Club (President), United Way, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, National Kidney Foundation, Pensacola Area Chamber of Commerce (President), Santa Rosa Island Authority, and Pensacola Junior College Foundation.  He was appointed to and served on the Florida Commission on Ethics for 3 years and the Florida Board of Regents for 8 years.  He was named an Honorary Doctor of Public Service by the University of West Florida.

After retirement from Mutual in 1988, he joined John S. Carr and Company where he enjoyed working in various aspects of real estate until 2014.

In 1957, when the Episcopal Bishop of Florida proposed that a new church be formed in Pensacola, E.W. and Jan were among the 121 Christ Church parishioners who became founding members of St. Christopher's Episcopal Church.  He and Jan raised their daughters at St. Christopher's and served there faithfully for over 60 years.  His many church leadership roles included serving on the Vestry and as Senior Warden of St. Christopher's as well as serving on the committee that guided the establishment of a cathedral for the Episcopal  Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.

It was a special joy for E.W. to spend time together with Jan and their three daughters at Belle Grove Stables where they rode and showed horses and ponies for many years.

E.W. is preceded in death by his parents, Elbert Wesley Hopkins, Sr. and Idell Dixon Hopkins; his brothers, J.B. Hopkins (Stella) and Vernon Hopkins; his wife of 70 years, Jan Richardson Hopkins; and his daughters, Dinah Hopkins Mencum and Sarah Hopkins Perkins.

He is survived by his daughter, Kate Wesley Hopkins Stradtman (Leighton) of Atlanta, GA; his grandsons, William Wesley Ricketts of Abingdon, VA, George Leighton Stradtman, Jr. of Atlanta, GA, and Cullen McCormac Stradtman of Macon, GA; his sister-in-law, Carolyn Hopkins of Orange Beach, AL; and his beloved extended family.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, November 22, 2025 at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church at 1 p.m. (CST).  A livestream of the service will be available via https://www.youtube.com/@scpen/streams .

Memorial gifts may be sent to St. Christopher's Episcopal Church, 3200 N. 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32503 or https://www.scpen.org/regular-giving.html with a notation for E.W. Hopkins memorial.