Mickey Hopkins

Michele “Mickey” Elaine Howe was born on December 1, 1956, to Clyde and Jane Howe. She had four siblings, Kari, Mike, Debbie, and David Howe. Michele was preceded in death by her brother Mike; nephews, Baby Mike, and Austin; a niece, Stephanie; her sister, Kari, and her mother and father, Jane and Clyde. Michele graduated from Okmulgee Highschool in 1975. After graduating from high school, she continued her education at Northeastern A&M College in Miami, Oklahoma, receiving her associates in medical technology. She finished up her education at Conners State College in Warner, Oklahoma, and the University of Oklahoma in Norman, training in courses in ultra-microbiology, crystal, and grid preparation. Michele Married Robert Tutt in 1981, welcoming daughter Amanda Renae in 1984. She remarried Charles Newton in 1993, and was blessed with two more daughters, Erin Michele and Natalie Marie. Michele was a devoted mother to her three daughters. As her daughters reached adulthood, they became her best friends. Michele married Richard “Hoppy” Hopkins on July 11, 2001. Mickey often said, “third time is a charm!”, finally finding peace and happiness in marrying her best friend. Hoppy and Mickey shared 21 beautiful years together. Before Mickey’s days as homemaker and grandmother, she made a living working in a laboratory. Always having a strong work ethic and fiercely independent, Mickey made sure her daughters were well taken care of and always had what they needed. Being very proud of her girls, she often said, “I have the three prettiest girls in Lincoln County!” Mickey could often be found at King Screen sharing laughter with her adopted sister Debbie King, and was also very close to Debbie’s husband, Randy, who sadly passed away nearly one year before Mickey passed. Mickey always welcomed friends and family into her home, adopting her daughter’s friends as her own. She always welcomed others into her home by saying, “Come in, converse, sit awhile. Sometimes it doesn’t look like this, sometimes it’s worse!” or “Let us talk about the ones not here!” Known mostly by all for her quirky one liners and unique sayings, she was a true rarity. Mickey enjoyed fishing with her husband Hoppy, baking cookies with her grandchildren, and sitting at her kitchen table, in which she often called “the view”, with her friends and daughters. Mickey adored her grandchildren and helping her daughters learn the complexities of motherhood and calming their fears. She welcomed her first granddaughter Shelby in 2009, followed by another granddaughter, Raelynn in 2014, a grandson Jaxon in 2016, and finally granddaughter, Everlee, in 2019. Mickey loved and adored her grands, seeing each one’s unique abilities. Mickey will be remembered for her devoted friendships, her sense of humor, and her kindness. She always reminded her daughters that everyone needed direction, and she could always be their compass in life. Mickey could never be recreated; she was truly one of a kind. Sadly, Mickey’s life was cut short. She suffered a massive stroke after a routine procedure in July of 2021. She hung on for several months, her family praying for her to regain strength. Hoppy being hopelessly devoted to Mickey, stood by her side as her primary caregiver, loving husband, and best friend, until the bitter end. He was relentless in his pursuit to bring her home and give her the best attention and care that he could. Her three daughters could be found huddled around Mickey’s hospital bed, that was set up in the living room, until the very end. With the sounds of her loved one’s and friend’s voices filling the air, she ascended into heaven on March 5, 2022. Mickey’s husband, daughters, and grandchildren, now have an enormous void. Their hearts are missing a huge piece. Death comes to us all. It is something in which we all must accept; however, this loss is especially difficult. Touching many, lifting spirits, and calming fears, were all apart of Mickey’s magic. The loss will be felt daily until she is reconnected with her loving family. Mickey’s quotes will live on through her daughters, who vow to never let others forget what an amazing mother they had.