Mississippi gaming executive remembered as lawyer, tourism leader and a ‘great American’
Alben “Al” Hopkins’ story shows how someone who went to college in the Mississippi Delta can go on to become a major general in the Mississippi National Guard, chairman of the Mississippi Gaming Commission, an attorney, a judge and the kind of person former Harrison County Supervisor Bobby Eleuterius called “a great American, great friend and a great man.”
Hopkins, 81, died on Super Bowl Sunday, having lived a life of accomplishment and community service.
Visitation will be from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at First Baptist Church in Gulfport at 12190 Highway 605. The funeral service begins at 4:30 p.m. Military honors will follow at sunset at the church. Riemann Family Funeral Home, Gulfport, is in charge of the services.
“I lost a great friend tonight,” retired Air Force Gen. Joe Spraggins posted on Facebook Sunday. “You were and will continue to be a great mentor to me and I thank you for your leadership and friendship.”
“Al Hopkins was my mentor, friend, and personification of all that was special about our Coast,” said Steve Richer, former executive director of the Harrison County Tourism Commission, where Hopkins had served as president.
He also is remembered for his involvement in the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, as an avid outdoorsman and a deacon, “a prayer warrior” and Sunday school teacher at First Baptist Church of Gulfport.
Hopkins also was president of ANH Enterprises and Muddy River Farms, a farming, ranching and land development company, and he and Ruth had two children.
Building on success
Hopkins attended Delta State on an athletic scholarship and lettered three years in basketball, was president of the student government and “Mr. Delta State,” according to a press release. Hopkins and his wife, Ruth, established a scholarship at Delta State to help other students from in and around his hometown of Walnut.
He earned his law degree from University of Mississippi School of Law and joined the third-largest law firm in the state. Hopkins founded his own law firm in 1977, and was senior partner of Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins in Gulfport.
Soon after getting his law degree, Hopkins enlisted in the Mississippi National Guard and worked his way up to become Assistant Adjutant General of Mississippi before retiring as a major general.
“Gen. Hopkins was a man of strong integrity, work ethic and faith,” said Crosby Parker, district attorney for Harrison, Hancock and Stone counties and Mississippi National Guard Staff Judge Advocate.
“He was always willing to step into leadership positions in both his military and civilian capacities,” said Parker, who worked with Hopkins in both areas. “Gen. Hopkins was always generous with his time and was a very special mentor for me and many throughout the state,” Parker said.
Col. Allen McDaniel, president of National Guards Association for Mississippi, called Hopkins’ passing as “Just an incredible loss to the military and our state.”
Gaming Commission chairman
“We were honored to have him as a commissioner for the past eight years, most recently as chairman,” said Jay McDaniel, executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Commission.
He was involved in some controversial votes on expanding casino sites.
Hopkins recently was reappointed to another term, which will expire in 2025.
Gov. Tate Reeves will appoint a new commissioner and his selection to be approved by the state Legislature. The governor can choose to make his nominee the chairman or name Tom Gresham or Francis Lee, the other two members of the commission, as chairman.
This story was originally published February 13, 2023 at 12:13 PM.
