Hartsville’s first female mayor dies
From Staff Reports
Dr. Flora “Flossie” Hopkins, Hartsville’s first female mayor, has died at age 81. Hopkins, who also taught at then-Coker College, served two terms as mayor. Under her leadership in 1994, Hartsville was named an All-America City. At its Feb. 9 meeting, Hartsville City Council observed a moment of silence for Hopkins as well as for Bernice Wilson, a former City Councilman who died last month. Hopkins’ obituary, posted on the website of Brown-Pennington-Atkins Funeral Home in Hartsville, says she died Jan. 25 after an extended illness. Hopkins “was a career educator, civic leader and mentor,” her obituary says. “She had a substantial impact on those who knew her and on the community.” Her obituary outlines her career. After moving to Hartsville in 1963, it says, she “began a career in education that spanned decades and included roles as associate professor (at) Coker College (now University), chairman of the Education Department of Coker College, Coker College Board of Trustees, Coker College Board of Visitors, an adjunct faculty member of the University of South Carolina and South Carolina State University and Board of Visitors of the University of South Carolina.” Hopkins also taught in the Darlington County School District, and served the district as a curriculum specialist, associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction, and as a member of the Darlington County School Board. As the first female mayor of Hartsville, she “helped lead the city to its distinction as an All-America City” in the 1990s. Hopkins also served as a member of the Pee Dee District Judicial Review Committee, Board of Directors of the South Carolina Municipal Association, Byerly Foundation Board, Board of Presbyterian Home, Darlington County Council on Aging, Darlington County Mental Health Board, and Director of the South Carolina School Boards Association. According to her obituary, a celebration of life for Hopkins will be planned for this summer with details to be announced.