Virginia Violet (Faulkenbury) Hopkins


Virginia was born to Oscar T. and Laura (Powell) Faulkenbury on April 10, 1925 in Cherryvale, Kansas. She left this life for her eternal home on October 30, 2014. Her parents and siblings, including Vinita Blevins, Charles Faulkenbury, Vivian Leake and Roberta Hicks, have all predeceased her. She is also predeceased by her baby daughter, De Ann.

In her early teens Virginia was a housekeeper in the home of a Cherryvale physician. This experience introduced her to "nice" things and she began to develop an appreciation for the finer things of life. She also served as a nanny for another family. She cooked, cleaned, ironed, polished silver and fed three little girls for $3.00/week. During her high school years, she enjoyed playing the violin in the school orchestra, sang in the choral group and participated in drama productions.

She married her high school sweetheart, Paul Hopkins, on November 23, 1942. They spent the next few years tending the family farm while Paul's brothers were serving in World War II. They moved to Tulsa in 1946, where Virginia discovered that she had a natural talent for floral designing while working for Argie Lewis Flowers. She also acquired management skills at the Bross 5 and10 on Admiral. Later she began door-to-door marketing research, and food demonstrations at local grocery stores, including the Tulsa landmark, Warehouse Market.

During the 1950's, she sang in a trio called "The Temple Trio" who sang gospel music. The trio was happy to be invited to sing with Johnnie Lee Wills during some of his radio broadcasts. She had a natural talent for music and played the piano by ear, along with some formal training from known Tulsa pianist Glen Hardman. Melody came natural to her and she could sit down at the piano and play a musical piece just by listening to it.

Virginia operated a home-based flower and gift shop and eventually opened a retail store in Brookside called "Virginia's." She created floral arrangements for weddings, funerals and other life events. Eventually this business transitioned to a full wedding service, including flowers, cake, and wedding attire. She operated this business at 26th & Harvard as "Virginia's Boutique" for several years and assisted many Tulsa brides and their families with all the details for a successful wedding.

After selling Virginia's Boutique, she worked as a free-lance floral designer. When Paul retired from full-time work as an interior decorating technician, he and Virginia worked together in decorating model apartments throughout the nation.



Virginia and Paul enjoyed working with the youth at their church. They spent many years leading the church's youth group and traveling with them on mission trips. She led many youth camp choirs and organized social events, including fashion shows and elaborate parties for the youth group.

She was a welcoming hostess, and everyone always enjoyed coming to her home for a party. She loved to create fancy food items. If anyone could make a pineapple look exotic, it was Virginia! She had a competitive spirit and loved playing games with friends late into the night. She also enjoyed creating and wearing beautiful jewelry.

Virginia was actively involved in Christian Women's Club, a national missionary organization. She traveled the Oklahoma/Kansas/Arkansas region speaking to clubs regarding her faith.

Virginia enjoyed life and always wanted to be involved in a project to help others who were in need. Her strong faith gave her the assurance that when she left this life, she would be with her Savior. She would want us to celebrate her life and be joyful-for she is now with her Lord!

Virginia loved being with family and enjoyed the celebrations they all shared through the years. She and Paul have been married for 72 years this month.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter Paula and husband Mark Peterson of Tulsa; grandchildren Tara Peterson Johnson and husband Lance of Shawnee, Kansas; and Christopher Mark Peterson and wife Catherine of West Orange, New Jersey. Also surviving are three great grandchildren: Charles, Augustine and Beatrice Peterson. She will also be remembered by several nieces, nephews and cousins, and many friends.

Visitation: Friday, November 7, 2014,10:30 am to 12:30 pm at Moore's Rosewood, 2570 S. Harvard

Services will be held 11:00 AM Saturday, November 8, 2014 at Spirit of Life Church, 5345 S. Peoria Ave.

www.moorefuneral.com