Milton N. (Buddy) Hopkins, Jr., 80, of Osierfield, Georgia, died Monday, March 5 at Tift Regional Medical Center.
Graveside services will be held 3 P.M., Wednesday, March 7 at the Hopkins Family Cemetery in Osierfield, with Rev. Robert Couey officiating.
Mr. Hopkins was born October 4, 1926 in Fitzgerald to the late Milton Newton and Hattie Lee Walker Hopkins. He lived in the community all of his life and was a member of Central United Methodist Church. He was a 1943 graduate of Fitzgerald High School, attended Middle Georgia College and Mercer University, and received his Masters Degree in Zoology from the University of Georgia in 1951. He was very involved with the Boy Scout’s of America and had attained the rank of Eagle Scout. Mr. Hopkins was a Farmer, Conservationist, Environmentalist and Birdwatcher. For 44 years, Mr. Hopkins assisted with the migratory bird count on Sapelo Island and held membership in the Ornithological Society for over 70 years. He was awarded National Tree Farmer of the Year in 1981 and served on the Ben Hill County Forestry Board. Mr. Hopkins was a veteran of the United States Navy during World War II. He was an original Director for the Bank of Fitzgerald and currently served as a member of the board of Colony Bank Corp. Mr. Hopkins was an author writing books on subjects such as birds, postcard collections, and personal history.
Mr. Hopkins is survived by: his daughter and son-in-law, Carol & Darrell Weeks of Fitzgerald; son and daughter-in-law: Milton N. (Bubba) Hopkins, III & Katy of Fitzgerald; grandchildren: Donnie Hopkins, Mandy Weeks Munford, Amy Hopkins Spears and John Weeks; great-grandchildren: Mercer Hopkins, Kaylee Spears and Emma Leigh Munford; and one brother: Charles Lee Hopkins of Fitzgerald. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary McElroy Hopkins, daughter, Donna R. Hopkins, 2 brothers and 1 sister.