Grace E. Hopkins ¹

Grace E. Hitch
(January 1, 1921 - May 5, 2012)

Grace E. (Hopkins) Hitch of the Methodist Manor House, Seaford, Delaware passed away Saturday, May 5, 2012 surrounded by family at the age of 91. She was born January 1, 1921 in Lewes, Delaware, the daughter of the late Alden S. Hopkins, Sr. and Margaret L. Hopkins of Lewes, Delaware. Grace was a graduate of Lewes High School and Goldey College. She retired in 1982 from the Sussex Trust Company. She was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach and an associate member of Mt. Olivet United Methodist Church in Seaford. Mrs. Hitch was Past President of DeVries Business & Professional Women, Past State President of the Delaware Association of Bank Women, Treasurer of the Rehoboth Day Care Center for 30 years and helped organize the Rehoboth Beach service unit of the Salvation Army and organized the kettle program. She was the first woman to be elected to the Board of Trustees of Epworth United Methodist Church and was Treasurer of Epworth United Methodist Church for 10 years. Grace was also the President of United Methodist Women, Lay Leader and member of the Finance Committee. She served as a volunteer worker at the Manor House Gift Shop, Chairperson of the Manor House Reception Committee, member of the Manor House Council & Finance Committee and member of the Manor House Altar Guild. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Spencer P. Hitch; brothers, William N. Hopkins and Alden S. Hopkins, Jr. all of Lewes and a sister Gladys H. Phillips of Seaford. She is survived by a brother, George W. Hopkins of Lewes; stepsons, William S. Hitch, Sr. and wife Nancy and John W. Hitch, Sr. and wife Ginger all of Seaford; step grandchildren, Debra K. Hitch of Milton, William S. Hitch, Jr. and wife Wendy and John W. Hitch, Jr. and wife Beverly all of Seaford; six step great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
The family offers special thanks for her caregivers from Delaware Hospice, Visiting Angels of Sussex and the Assisted Living Staff of the Manor House and the Rev. Barbara Wilson, Manor House Chaplain and The Rev. Diane Melson, her niece. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday May 10, 2012 at the Long Neck Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 32013 Long Neck Rd., Millsboro, Delaware, where a visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Interment will be following the services at Barratt's Chapel Cemetery. The Rev. Johnathan Baker will officiate. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, Delaware 19963 or Methodist Manor House Benevolent Fund, 1001 Middleford Road, Seaford, Delaware 19973.

Grace married Spencer Philip Hitch, son of Wilbur C. Hitch and Manie E. Hill. (Spencer Philip Hitch was born on 21 Jan 1907 in Greenwood, Sussex Co., DE ^{2 3 4} and died on 17 Jul 1991 in Rehoboth Beach, Sussex Co., DE ⁵.)