freddie hopkins
1916-1987
Life Story
Early Life and Family
The life of Freddie Hopkins—also recorded as Frederica—reflects the enduring spirit of the African American community in Newton County, Mississippi, during the 20th century. She was born on August 15, 1916, in the rural landscape of Newton County, the daughter of Major Hopkins, Jr. and Lou Ann Hopkins.
Growing up on Hero Road, Freddie was part of a large and hardworking family. She shared her childhood with siblings Bama, Zena, Effie, and others, in a household rooted in strong family ties and agricultural life.
By the time of the 1920 Census, Freddie was already integrated into the fabric of Newton County’s Black community. Following the death of her father, the 1930 Census shows thirteen-year-old Freddie living with her widowed mother, Lou Ann, along with her older brother Phillip.
Despite the economic challenges of the era, Freddie attended school and was recorded as being able to read and write. Her literacy reflects the determination of her family to prioritize education during a time when opportunities for Black children in the rural South were limited by segregation.
Motherhood and Family Life
Freddie’s life was also marked by her role as a mother. She had two sons, Leroy Salter and Johnnie Salter, who carried her legacy into the next generation.
Through her children, Freddie’s influence extended beyond her own lifetime, reflecting the central role of Black women as anchors of family continuity in Newton County.
Service to the Community
By the mid-1960s, Freddie Hopkins was actively contributing to her community through her work at the Newton Clinic. Public records from The Union Appeal document her role providing maid services at the facility, placing her within the essential workforce that supported local healthcare during the Civil Rights era.
Records from the Newton County Board of Supervisors provide a glimpse into her steady employment:
- March 1966: Paid $15.00 for services rendered in February
- May 1966: Paid $16.50 for services rendered in April
- July 1966: Paid $16.50 for services rendered in June
While modest, these wages represent consistent work and highlight the often-overlooked labor of women like Freddie. Alongside others such as Laverne Larkin and Lula Mae Norman, she helped sustain the daily operations of the county’s medical facilities.
Later Years and Migration
In her later years, Freddie followed a path taken by many African American families during the later waves of the Great Migration, spending time in the North. This movement reflected broader patterns of seeking improved economic opportunities and living conditions beyond the South.
Death and Burial
Freddie Hopkins passed away on December 11, 1987, in Cook County, Illinois.
Despite her passing far from home, her connection to Newton County remained strong. She was returned to Mississippi and laid to rest at Sylvester United Methodist Church Cemetery in Newton County.
Her life stands as a bridge between generations—from the early 20th-century rural South to the modern era—representing the strength, resilience, and quiet contributions of Black women whose labor and devotion sustained both family and community.
Family Summary
Father: Major Hopkins
Mother: Lou Ann Hopkins
Siblings: Bama, Zena, Effie, Phillip, and others
Children: Leroy Salter, Johnnie Salter
Final Resting Place: Sylvester United Methodist Church Cemetery, Newton County, Mississippi
Resting Place
Sylvester United Methodist Church Graveyard
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1920 Federal Census
- 1930 Federal Census
- Cook County, Illinois Death Index, 1908-1988
- U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
- The Newton Record, Leroy Salter Obituary, Wed, Apr 12, 1972 ·Page 12
- U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current
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