Susie Jane Hopkins Runyon, 86, of Goody, Ky., and Vero Beach, passed away on Feb. 4, 2014.
She is survived by her daughter, Pamela Runyon (Mickey) Slater; son, Randy (Jackie) Runyon; five grandchildren, Buffy Slater, Dr. Matthew (Amber) Slater, Tiffany (Brian) Wells, Kristin (Dave) Hufana, and Caleb Tyler Runyon; five great-grandchildren, Henry Saylor Matthew Slater, Emma Belle Slater, Katelyn Wells, Jacob Wells and Sophia Hufana; two nieces, Rosemary Wilhite, and Medra Jane Copley; two special friends, Ethel Collier, and Inky Bevins; and a host of other loving family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of over 50 years, Saylor Runyon Jr.; grandson, Wesley Michial Slater; brothers, George Ester Hopkins, Jr., Edward Hopkins, Kenneth Hopkins and Thomas Hopkins; and one sister, Etta Ruth Hopkins.
She was born June 25, 1927, in Goody, Ky. into the family of the late Elder George Ester Hopkins and Minnie Bell Harris Hopkins.
Runyon and her husband, Saylor, resided for the first five years of their marriage in Stone, Ky., and they moved to Goody in 1959 and resided there for the rest of her life.
She was a retired Kindergarten teacher from the Pike County Board of Education, having taught children at Forest Hills, Turkey Creek, Varney and South Williamson Elementary Schools. She was a graduate of Belfry High School and Pikeville College where she received her Masters Degree. She was a 30 year member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Sorority.
Runyon’s father was a charter member of the Salem Old Regular Baptist Church having established it in 1915 and the Hopkins Family have served as members for over 99 years. She was a member of the Old Regular Baptist Church for over 63 years and was the longest surviving member to date. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at a young age and has served him faithfully every day.
Funeral services were held at 12 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014 at Salem Old Regular Baptist Church with Elder Danny Runyon and Tommy Dials officiating. Burial followed at Smith Cemetery, Sidney, Ky., with Dr. Matthew Slater, Caleb Runyon, Christopher Blackburn, Scott Floro, Dale Williamson and Dr. Brian Lambert serving as pallbearers.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to either the Salem Old Regular Baptist Church or The Gideons International. R. E. Rogers Funeral Home of Belfry is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be left at www.rerogersfuneralhome.com.