Darris Hopkins Obituary

Darris Kay Kent Hopkins, 72, of Germantown, TN passed away on March 29, 2026, in Collierville, TN. She was born in Walnut Ridge, AR, on January 26, 1954, to the late Darris Kent and Leona Lasater Kent. Kay grew up in the small rural town of Egypt, AR, where her dad was a farmer and her mom worked in the nearby town of Jonesboro. She attended local elementary schools and graduated from Westside High School in 1972. She also attended Arkansas State University, later graduating from State Technical Institute in Memphis. TN in 1998. During her life Kay lived in Oxford, MS, where her oldest son, Danny, was born, then went back to Jonesboro, AR, where her youngest son Adam was born, and finally settled in Germantown, TN, where she had been a member of Living Hope Church since its founding. It was while living in Oxford that Kay at the young age of 19 accepted the responsibility of raising her 14-year-old brother, Eddie, when her mom passed. Kay was a member of the Arkansas chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Kay loved life, loved people, and was not afraid to try new adventures. She enjoyed sharing new places and experiences with her family and friends and took great pleasure in the many gatherings that she meticulously prepared for and hosted. She especially enjoyed spending personal time and traveling with her granddaughters. She was known for her commonsense approach to life, but she was always sensitive to the needs of her friends and family, particularly in times of distress, and could be counted on to "do the right thing" at the right time. Kay had many life-long friendships that were nurtured by this caring attitude. She always had a "listening" ear and compassionate attitude.

While living in Jonesboro, Kay worked at Arkansas State University as Athletic Ticket Manager. There she enjoyed working with the public and cheering on the teams. In Germantown, Kay worked for 16 years for the Air Liquide Company, a Memphis engineering firm where she was responsible for the company payroll. She retired in 2013.

Kay was preceded in death by her parents, brother Eddie Dean Kent and sisters Dortha Kent Polito and Ann Kent Jones. Kay leaves behind her husband of 53 years, Ted Hopkins of Germantown, sons Danny (Robynn) Hopkins, and Adam Kent Hopkins, along with her granddaughters Katie and Kara Hopkins, as well as her niece Amanda (Josh) Walker of Strawberry, AR, a nephew Eric Kent of Brookland, AR, sister-in-law Sherry Kent Tomey of Brookland, AR and a host of other family and friends who loved her dearly.

Visitation for Kay will take place on Saturday, April 4, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM. The funeral service will begin following visitation at 2:00 PM. Committal will be held at Memorial Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Kay's memory to the West Cancer Center & Research Institute.

Memorial Park Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements.