Albert Dee Hopkins was born in Columbus, Mississippi on  April 20, 1947 to Willie and Mary Hopkins. As a child, the family moved to Birmingham, Alabama.  He confessed his belief in Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized at Beulah Baptist Church.  Known as Dee or Big D. to family and friends, he attended Parker High School. Dee excelled in sports and became well known throughout the community as a star athlete in football, basketball, and track.  Whatever team he participated in rose to the top of their game. In 1964 he participated as a member of the Parker High basketball team, known as the Thundering Herd, to win both the State championship and also the National Black High School Championship.  He later moved to Akron, Ohio where he started his own painting business.  Albert pursued other business ventures, and his travels led him to many major cities in the United States, including Los Angeles, and New York City, but he established his roots here in Akron.  Albert was an avid sports fan.  He enjoyed watching all the college and professional football games on TV. You could often find him down at Lane Field watching the games and helping to mentor members of the South Rangers peewee football team.  While in his prime he enjoyed staying fit.  He and his sister Sue would walk daily at Sand Run and other area parks. Later, he moved back to Birmingham, where he would often go fishing with his brother in law William.  He also loved to cook, and eat!

Dee was a loving father, a beloved brother, a phenomenal uncle, and a loyal friend to so many people.  He loved his nieces and nephews.  Although Albert would give them a hard time, whatever  they asked of him, he rarely gave them a "no".   He would give them rides, pick them up from work, or the skating rink, and always had a few dollars to spare.  He made many threats, but he never, ever spanked any of his nieces, nephews, or his children.   He gave many of them their own personal nickname based on their personality, the most notable of which was "Motor-mouth" for Tangela.  He often spoke of his children and he had a special bond with each of them.  He loved them all dearly.  He was preceded in death by his parents Willie and Mary Hopkins, brothers Edward Hopkins, and Danny Hopkins, daughter Syreeta Dix, and grandson Tykaree Payne. He is survived by sisters Susie (William) Watts, Sally K. Williams, Willie Mae (Larry) Hicks, and brother Larry Hopkins; children DeWayne Payne, Dee Hopkins, Courtney (Quinton) Sommerville Carrington, and Noah Eskridge; grandchildren Tynetta Brock,  Tysheen Payne, Tylik Payne, Dwayne Payne Jr., Zeniya Payne, Alec Laramore, and Quincy Carrington; special godson Jermaine Sommerville; special childhood friend Charles Pierce; Johnny Carson, Big Bobby,  William Kane, Earl Radford; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The family is extremely appreciative  and expresses their gratitude for all of the prayers, cards, and benevolence they have received during this difficult time.  A more formal acknowledgement will be given at a later date.