Life, Love, and Legacy of Marjorine “Mema”

Marjorine LaBeaux Hopkins was born on May 28th 1933, in Beaumont, Texas. She was the seventh child of eleven children, between the union of her parents Robert LaBeaux, Sr and Louelva Hayes LaBeaux.

Marjorine attended elementary school, was baptized, and confirmed all at Our Mother Mercy in Beaumont Texas. She received her high school diploma from Hebert High School and later obtained her license in cosmetology.

Marjorine married Henry E. Hopkins, Sr on May 7th 1954 and of that union, they were blessed with three children; Henry E. Hopkins Jr., Richmond, CA, Cynthia Gail Hopkins Williams, San Jose, CA, and Karen Yvete Hopkins Fuller, (Kenneth Shawn Fuller Sr.) Richmond, CA.

Marjorine and her family moved to San Francisco, California in 1968, for a job opportunity for her husband which allowed him to be the first black principle at Tamalpias High School in Marin, County, CA. They later moved to Richmond, CA where she resided for many years. Marjorine attended Contra Costa College, San Pablo, CA, worked and cared for her family twenty four-seven. Marjorine had various jobs: such as film development for the Kodak company, housekeeping management at the Jack Tar Hotel and Mark Hopkins Hotel, executive director and manager for the Kyoto Inn Hotel in Japantown, (San Francisco). She also worked at the Cow Palace as a security guard.

Marjorine and her family later moved back to Beaumont, where she run her own beauty shop and were known for doing the best and tightest Jerry curls, silky press and combs, and Shirley temple curls. Marjorine moved back to California in 1986 and opened her daycare, caring for children of all ages and backgrounds.

Marjorine was a member of the NAACP, an active member of the Catholic dioceses of Oakland, Brownie and Girl troop leader. “Mema” had vast hobbies and interests: from being and avid bowler in a league, joining the St. Marks, St. Columbia, and St. John’s choirs, doing zumbo, taking Spanish classes, water aerobics, playing bingo and the slots, traveling with the Richmond senior center or by herself to all the local Indian reservations for some one arm bandit fun. She enjoyed dancing, modeling, attending zydeco dances, concerts, plays, and going to the movies with her family. Marjorine’s passion was cooking and serving delicious home cooked meals to all that entered her home. Mema loved watching football and basketball games. Steph curry was her favorite player. But most of all she loved and lived for her family.

Marjorine was proceeded in death by: her loving husband, Henry E. Hopkins Sr., parents, Robert and Louelva LaBeaux, siblings; Vernon, Vida Mae, Lee, Corin, Robert Jr., Larry, Richard, and Charlotte. She leaves to mourn her sisters Juanita Seals and Camille Thibodeaux (Larry) Beaumont, TX, her children Henry, Cynthial, and Karen, son-in-law Shawn, Sr,. six grandchildren; Jamar (Jennifer), Yndia (Ania), Joshua “Chaaser” (Alexis “Shaayan”) Shawn, Jr., (Soraida) Asiah, and Kendall. Thirteen great children and another on the way. She will be cherished and missed by a host of family and friends especially her adopted family she helped raised.

Marjorine was a go getter and leader in many aspects of her life. May she rest well.

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