Funeral Services for Larry Allen Hopkins, Age 72 of West Plains, Missouri will be held on Friday, July 10th, 2026 in The Rose Chapel of The Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, West Plains, Missouri, beginning at 10:00 AM. Visitation will precede the service, beginning at 9:00 AM. Burial will be in The New Liberty Cemetery, West Plains, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the family and can be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St, West Plains, Missouri.
Larry passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 5, 2026, in West Plains. He was born on February 8, 1954, in West Plains, Missouri, to James Edwin Hopkins and Sylvia (Romans) Hopkins. On February 23, 1973, he married the love of his life, Debbie Brown, in St. Charles, Missouri. Together they shared more than 53 years of marriage, building a home centered on faith, family, and the service of the Lord.
For 35 years, Larry faithfully served as pastor of Center Grove Baptist Church in Moody, Missouri. He was a graduate of Phoenix Bible Institute, where he later returned to teach and invest in the lives of future ministers. While he faithfully shepherded his congregation, those who knew him best understood that he was not only a pastor but an evangelist at heart. The mission of his life was to proclaim the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Lord. Whether from the pulpit, in a classroom, or in everyday conversation, Larry never missed an opportunity to share the hope found in Christ.
Larry found great joy in spending time with his family. He loved fishing and hunting, enjoyed riding motorcycles, and was known as an excellent motorcycle mechanic who could repair just about anything on two wheels.
Larry is survived by his beloved wife, Debbie Hopkins; one daughter, Melissa Williams and her husband, Mark “Hog” Williams; five grandchildren, Cody Hopkins, Kadie Bartlett and husband, Zach, Cassidy Frazier and husband, Drake, Kensie Williams, and Chloe Bouchard and husband, Silas; twelve great-grandchildren, with one more expected to arrive soon; one sister, Gayla Hopkins; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family members, dear friends, and countless brothers and sisters in Christ whose lives were forever changed through his ministry.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James Edwin and Sylvia Hopkins; his beloved son, John Allen Hopkins; two brothers, Charles “Chuck” Hopkins and Rick Hopkins; and one special uncle, John C. Hopkins.
Larry’s life was a testimony to the truth of Philippians 1:21 (KJV): “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Though he will be greatly missed, his family rejoices that he is now in the presence of the Savior he faithfully served.
