Ruby Mae Hopson

Ruby Mae Hopson was the daughter of William and Mae Harper Mangum, born on June 15, 1925, in Mendenhall, Mississippi. Ruby had four sisters and two brothers: Jessie Howard, Lulabelle Craine, John Ralph Mangum, Leo Mangum, Will Lee Harris, and Macie M. Allen. Ruby attended Rose Hill Elementary School, graduated from New Hymn High School, and attended Jackson State University in Mississippi. 

Ruby followed her older brother, Ralph, to Portland, OR. in the early forties to work in the shipyard. There, she met and married McHenry Hopson in 1945.  They had six beautiful children: Kay Molden (deceased), Ray Hopson Sr. (Portland, OR), Tony Hopson Sr. and daughter-in-law Carla Penn-Hopson (Portland, OR), Leola Hopson (Portland, OR), Phillip Hopson (Phoenix, AZ), and Sonja Hopson (Portland, OR). 

Ruby was a devoted Christian, and was a true living example of God’s unconditional love and service to others.  Ruby was a committed and faithful member of Full Gospel Missionary Baptist Church, led by her brother in law,  Rev. V. Allen, from 1985-2002; then Greater Faith, led by Byrone Bolden 2005 until 2014. Always possessing a servant’s heart, she was a member of the usher board, and often recognized at church for organizing and facilitating dinner fundraisers, each time selling out of her famous fried chicken, and her sister Macie’s 7-Up pound cake.

Ruby was a hard working woman, and this was evident in every aspect of her life.  She worked at Oregon Health Science University (OHSU) in the utility department, and as a housekeeper for a number of families in Portland.  She also partnered with her husband, McHenry, in their custodial business.  When she wasn’t working in the community, she was taking care of her grandchildren, who she protected, loved, and adored. Her home on Mississippi Avenue was always full of love, and busy with all her kids, grandkids and friends coming to visit her daily. Every day as the evening sun would begin to set, you could find Ruby sitting on the front porch, enjoying the conversation with loved ones around her. The openness of the front porch was indicative of her openness to others and the way she would listen without judgment, or with a “Mmm-hmmm” with her sweet smile; how she loved having neighbors who walked by greet her with a wave, sometimes stopping to talk; and the cars that would slow down as they would pass by, to wave, or stop and talk out their window to Ruby. These were the warm pleasures that Ruby held close to her heart. The love she shared with others came back to her throughout her life. There wasn’t a time when Ruby was ever alone. She was dearly loved by God and those who knew her.

The day Barack Obama was elected 44th president of the United States, Ruby was elated that she was alive to see the first black president in the oval office! History was in the making and Ruby appreciated and cherished watching it unfold. One special memory was when her son took her to meet President Obama. She was so happy she said she couldn’t stop smiling at him. When the President walked to her to help her onto the ramp for a picture together, she said she would never forget how he took her hand gently and was so natural with her. From that day forward the picture of Ruby and President Obama would always hang in her home, evidence of one her most cherished memories and experience.

Ruby is preceded in death by her husband McHenry, daughter Kaye, grand-daughter Janita, and siblings Jessie, Lulabelle, John, Leo, and Will. She leaves behind her sister Macie, five children, 18 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren,  22 great-great grandchildren, and a host of others from the community who she adopted, and was referred to as “Mama” or “Big Mama”.  She was, and will continue to hold a special place in everyone’s heart forever.

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