Anna Elizabeth Hawkins Hope, 76, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on October 6, 2026.
Anna was born on July 21, 1950, in Newberry, South Carolina, to Bloomer “Jack” Hawkins and Eunice Hawkins. From the very beginning, Anna’s life was a gift to those who knew and loved her. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, laughter, teaching, and a life devoted to the people God placed in her path.
After graduating from Winthrop College with a degree in Spanish Education, Anna began a teaching career that would span more than 40 years. She found her home at Lewisville Middle School, where she proudly served as a Lewisville Lion for decades. She had the privilege of teaching sixth-grade Social Studies, but it was in eighth-grade South Carolina History where she truly found her knack and passion for teaching. She also taught Spanish classes, a few years of Language Arts, and later served as a curriculum coach.
Anna loved her students. She loved her colleagues. And she loved the opportunity God had given her to influence young lives. She formed lifelong friendships at Lewisville and had a special way of making her students feel known and loved. Some students were even given special nicknames by Anna, a small reflection of the unique place each child could hold in her heart. She was incredibly proud to be a Lewisville Lion, and the impact she made on generations of students will continue long after her years in the classroom.
But to those who knew Anna best, her greatest joy was not found in a classroom or a career. It was found in her family and in the Lord she loved. Anna loved Jesus, and now she is experiencing the fullness of the hope she believed in. After years of walking by faith, she is now face to face with her Savior. On October 6, she crossed from this life into eternity, and we can rejoice knowing that she is home.
Anna was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ernest Hope, with whom she shared 32 years of marriage, and her parents, Bloomer “Jack” and Eunice Hawkins, and her sister, Gloria Shealy.
Anna’s heart was especially full when it came to her family. She is survived by her son, Wesley Hope and his wife, Liz; her cherished grandson, Hawkins Hope; her brother, Bernard Hawkins and his wife, Faye; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Her grandson, Hawkins, brought Anna tremendous joy. She especially loved Christmas and all the traditions that came with it. She delighted in collecting special Christmas treasures, decorating her home, and creating a Christmas village for Hawkins to enjoy. She loved making things beautiful and creating memories that would last far beyond the season itself.
A funeral service celebrating Anna’s life and homegoing will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Greene Funeral Home, 2133 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, South Carolina. Graveside services will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery, 4290 Old York Road, Rock Hill, South Carolina.
The family would like to thank the hospice staff at Agape, particularly, Katie, Brenda, Kia, and many others that made her ending time precious and dear. We rejoice that the teacher, mother, grandmother, sister, wife, and friend we love so dearly has finished her race and is now safely home with Jesus.
Condolences can be made at www.greenefuneralhome.net