Tributes

To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under Heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV A Time to Be Born Mamie Blanche was born on November 15, 1925, in a small rural community in Pitt County, North Carolina. Her Beloved’s knew her simply as Blanche. The 16th, of 19 children blessed to the late Perry and Julia Davis Hopkins. Blanche was reared in an 8-room farmhouse along with her beloved siblings in the close-knit farming community of Pactolus. There she spent her formative years, forging a dedicated work ethic, yet more telling, a devoted love for family and tradition. At nine years of age, she was giving the task of cooking for the entire family as they returned home from the fields. Here began the 95 plus years of feeding her family. A Time to Die Blanche departed this earthly life, at home, victoriously transitioning to her heavenly home on Saturday, November 1, 2025. A Time to Plant Mamie Blanche received her elementary education in the Pitt County Public Schools system. Attending school with her siblings and treasured cousins, Blanche enjoyed her time at Cherry Lane Primary, valuing days spent with family and friends. Though she was brought up around many of her Hopkins relatives, Blanche was also very close to her Davis family in her Mother’s beloved hometown of Scotland Neck, in Halifax County, North Carolina. Blanche embraced all branches of her family tree with the dedication and care instilled in her by the parents she deeply adored. Upon completing her primary education, Blanche left home to attend college at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical College in Greensboro, North Carolina. A Time to Gather Stones Blanche, while studying to become a teacher, developed another love, that shaped the next 70 years of her life, Sewing. While attending the illustrious HBCU. Blanche experienced the devastating loss of her cherished father, Perry. Despite the great absence of her father, Blanche, continued her studies, encouraged and supported by her Mother Julia. Inspired by her father's character, and value for education, Blanche remained in Greensboro, graduating with the class of 1948. A Time to Build Blanche, returned to Greenville after graduating, to assist her mother and siblings, on what had then become a very large working farm, with acreage, that surpassed the dreams of both her parents and ancestors. In 1951, While catching up with her friend from college, that had relocated to New York, Blanche was encouraged to pursue a teaching position in New York City. Arriving in Brooklyn, NY, Blanche shared an apartment with 2 trusted North Carolina natives and began her life as a New York resident. New to the City, she put her sewing capabilities to good use, which led to her meeting her lifelong love. A Time to Gain Blanche, while employed as a seamstress in Brooklyn, began a courtship with “her” David. David Hayes, a native of Malone, Florida, a consummate creative, who shared her love of sewing and design. After a 6-month courtship, David proposed, and Blanche said yes. Culminating in a small wedding in June of 1956. A Time to Sew Blanche, now a devoted wife and partner settled in to build a warm and loving home for both she and David. Soon they became three, as a result of the greatly anticipated birth of the 1st of 3 daughters, Julia Celeste in the spring of 1957. A Time to Love Blanche and David shared many things in common, nothing more evident than their love of tradition, family and faith. Both reared in the south, anchored by the art of southern hospitality, and by the presence of an extensive village. They both honed a love and dedication to each other and their families. As new parents, their Brooklyn family became the village that they grew to love, protect, and trust with their children. Blanche and David grew their family with the addition of a 2nd daughter, Stephanie Denise, in the fall of 1960, and 3 years later, Diane Lee, was born, completing the Hayes family footprint. Blanche spent 40 years in Brooklyn, rearing her family, enhancing her skills as an excellent cook, and gifted seamstress. Blanche served her community, with her many talents. As a member of Mount Olivet Presbyterian Church, she offered her time, talents, and skills to fellow members in the community. Her skills as a seamstress were worn at family events, ceremonies, and holiday celebrations. Her brilliance exemplified creative genius, and a deep love for her craft. She was truly gifted. The only thing that surpassed her love of cooking and sewing was her love for family. A Time to Keep Blanche was the epitome of grace, beauty, and humility. Born to affluence, never did she exude an attitude of entitlement, or conceit. Reminding her children and later grandchildren to be thankful for God's grace and mercy. She never ceased to inspire, encourage, or attentively listen to the many people who crossed her New York threshold. Admired by so many, Blanche was known to welcome each and every one who came to her door. Quote “A grace carried, was a grace learned” that was modeled by her beloved mother, Julia, exemplifying the golden rule of life, “treating people like you wish to be treated”. In 1994, after 40 years in New York, Blanche decided to return to her beloved roots in North Carolina. There she spent her autumn and winter years with family that she had grew up with and had sorely missed. She was blessed with three additional decades of reminiscing, rejoicing, and recollecting. Time spent from a life well-lived. Sorrowfully, losing David after 64 years of marriage in November of 2020. She continued to share with her beloved grand and great-grandchildren the family history and the legacy, sharing her knowledge that became wisdom, leaving an indelible mark for the family she created. Her life offered everyone she touched, the power of love, faith, and hope. 1 Corinthians 13:13 reads “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” Honoring God, family, and truth. A Time to Say So Long Blanche leaves to cherish her loving memory, her Beloved 3 daughters, Julia Celeste Hayes, of Brooklyn, New York, Stephanie Denise Hayes (of the home), Diane Lee Hayes Johnson and husband, Dr. Leon Johnson, (Blanche's Son-in-“Love”) of Greenville, North Carolina; sisters-of-the-Heart, Clementina Wise of Brooklyn, New York and Curlie Spell Green of Greenville, North Carolina; dear Sister-in-“Love”, Evelyn Hopkins of Greenville, North Carolina; devoted nephews, Ray Hopkins (Brenda) of Newport News, Virginia and John Wilson (Robin) of Temple Hills, Maryland; niece daughters, Swanza White Deluze (John) of Greenville, North Carolina, Alma Belcher (Charles) of Greenville, North Carolina, Debra Green (Larry) of Greenville, North Carolina, and Ruby Washington (William) of Silver Spring, Maryland. The joy and loves of her life; grandson, Evan Alezander Johnson; granddaughters Arielle Alezandra Johnson, Kiara Celeste Hemmings (Kyle), Gayla Alezandria Johnson, Jaslynne Nicole Hemmings; great- grandchildren, Zion Avery Johnson, Nigel Alexander Johnson and Kamara Brielle Edwards; a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, family, and friends. Well done, faithful servant. Rest well.

Tributes

Mrs. Mamie Blanche Hayes

November 15, 1925 - November 1, 2025