Margaret Ann Quinlan Hopkins, of Boonville, passed away November 28, at Ashley Manor. She was born on June 16, 1932, at the home of her maternal grandparents in Auxvasse, the only child of John and Atta (Rudd) Quinlan.
She moved to the Boonville/New Franklin area in 1944 from Mexico, and graduated from New Franklin High School in 1950.
She married Virgil R. Turnbull on May 13, 1951, in New Franklin, and he preceded her in death on August 18, 1971. On June 17, 1978, she married Donald L. “Hop” Hopkins in Boonville, and they made their home in Boonville for 38 years.
She was valedictorian of her class at New Franklin High School and a few years after she married, she graduated from Moberly Junior College, Moberly, in 1959 and from Lindenwood College, St. Charles, in 1962 with a B.S. in Elementary Education. She began her teaching career in St. Charles. After her first husband’s death, she graduated from Central Missouri State University in 1975 with a M. S. in Education and earned additional graduate hours from the University of Missouri. Margaret belonged to National Honor Societies: Phi Theta Kappa-Moberly Jr. College, Alpha Sigma Tau-Lindenwood and Phi Kappa Phi-Central Missouri State University.
She was a member of the Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church, Nelson Memorial United Methodist Women and the Wesley Circle. Margaret was a Board Member of the New Franklin High School Alumni Association. She was also a member of the American Association of University Women, the Cooper County Retired Teachers and Personnel Association, P.E.O.-Chapter MJ and the Boonville Women’s Club. Margaret enjoyed playing bridge with friends after retiring in 1995 from teaching thirty-three years. The last twenty-four years were spent in first grade at Central Elementary School in Boonville. She also did substitute teaching for twelve years after retiring.
She made the decision that she wanted to be a teacher while attending fifth grade at McMillan Grade School in Mexico. This goal was realized with her first teaching job in 1962.
Margaret enjoyed cooking for family and friends and especially enjoyed making angel food cakes to give away at special times.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Virgil Turnbull of twenty years in 1971 and by her second husband, Don Hopkins of Thirty-eight years in 2016. Also, preceding her in death is her step grandson, Rob Espey.
Survivors include her stepdaughter, Dale Espey and husband Jerry of Grain Valley, Mo.; step granddaughter-in-law, Kendra of Lone Jack, Mo.; step granddaughter, Jody Nafzger and husband Christian of Boise, Idaho; four step great grandchildren, Sam, Espey, Ruby Espey, Henry Nafzger and William Nafzger; special cousins and their families.
She loved her dogs, Cindy, Pearl, Candy and especially Mandy who was a special part of her life.
A Memorial Service celebrating Margaret’s life will be held on Saturday, December 28, at 11 a.m. at Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church with Chris Snyder officiating. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until the time of service. Inurnment will follow at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Boonville.
Memorials in Margaret’s honor are suggested to the Nelson Memorial United Methodist Church or to the New Franklin Alumni Association Scholarship Fund.
Arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home, 1397 Ashley Rd., Boonville, Mo 65233 (660) 882-3381. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.howardfh.com.
