Carolyn Sue

Lawrence Hopson

Carolyn Sue Lawrence Hopson, 66, of Amerherstdale, WV lost her year-long battle to cancer on November 5, 2026 at CAMC General in Charleston surrounded by her loving family, or as she told the nurses, "My whole world." Born on November 17, 1959, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Frederick Melvin and Zona Evans Lawrence. Sue spent many years working as an interior decorator. Alongside her cherished friend Barbara Workman-Castillo, she painted, hung wallpaper and murals, and decorated banks, schools, and private homes throughout Logan and Mingo counties. In 1985, she and her sister Jenny opened a home décor store (Lawson's Home Decor) in Oceana, offering everything from wallpaper and curtains to dishes and silverware. After both sisters were seriously injured in a head-on collision with a drunk driver on Huff Mountain, they spent a year in wheelchairs. The store closed within months of opening. She later returned to cosmetology school to complete the training she had first begun as a high school student. In 1991, showcasing her skills in cosmetology, she placed third in the state at the VICA competition. Sue became a talented cosmetologist and co-founded V&S Hair Salon with her close friend Vivian Bowen, where they worked together for nearly 15 years. Sue spent many years working in the local bar and entertainment business. She managed Man Sports Lounge, later known as Carl's Sports Lounge, before she and her husband, Harmon, went on to own and operate Destiny's Nightclub in Man, West Virginia, for ten years. She was involved in local theater for more than twenty years, supporting productions alongside her children and grandchildren. She was a devoted stage mom who could often be found backstage tending to makeup and wigs or even building props and painting sets. Among several skits and biblical-themed plays performed by the Man and Logan JW congregations that she wrote and directed, Sue founded, co-authored, and directed Logan's Trail on the Guyandotte, a biographical reenactment of the life of Chief James Logan. The production ran for five years. Sue was active in her community and was recognized on the news around 2006 as a “Hometown Hero” for the help and support she provided to families who lost their homes and belongings when an apartment building in Man caught fire. Every holiday season, she volunteered with clothing and toy drives for children. She also crocheted blankets and beanies and sent them to area hospitals for their cancer patients. She enjoyed music, dancing, playing poker, crocheting, macramé, crafting, cooking, and gardening. She loved baking and making homemade holiday goodies to share with friends. More than anything, she loved summertime, basking in the sun with a cold beer, and watching the world go by from the front porch. She also enjoyed Election Day and served as a precinct captain in the Man area for many years. She had a tradition of meeting friends for a drink after the polls closed while waiting for the election results. She was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Harmon Hopson Jr.; her parents, Frederick and Zona (Evans) Lawrence; her brother, Norman Edward Lawrence; her maternal grandparents, Prentiss and Dora (Smith) Evans; her paternal grandparents, Edgar and Sylvia (Blankenship) Lawrence; her special aunt, Elsie (Evans) Adkins, who was like a mother to her; and her special sister-in-law, Angeline “Angie” Gilco-Evans-Hopson. She is survived by her fur baby, Brutus; her daughters, Melissia-Dawn Hopson of Amherstdale and Ashley (Josh) Goodman of Latrobe; and her stepchildren, Angela Hopson of Cleveland, Ohio; Harmon (Amy) Duncan, of Kent, Ohio; and Brian Hopson of Georgia, whom she loved and considered her own. She is also survived by her special companion of ten years, Charles "Tony" Farnsworth. Her surviving siblings left to grieve her loss include brothers- Frederick (Barbara) Lawrence, Charles (Lily) Lawrence, Printess “Bit” (Penny) Lawrence, and sisters- Sheila Lawrence, Angie Evans; and Virginia (Gary) Hopson-Johnson. Her grandchildren are Robert Dale “Junior” Doss, Shandi Doss, Justin Hopson, Jahvalin Hopson, Jazzmine Dunn-Tackett, Marksie Dunn II, Michael Hopson, Jerry Dale Ellis II, and Caiden Goodman; and her great-grandchildren are Harmony Stinnett and Dallas, Lilah, Elena, Richie, and Grayson Tackett. She also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, and special friends. In keeping with Sue's wishes, she will be cremated and there will be no funeral service. Instead, her daughters will celebrate her life on what would have been her 67th birthday, November 17th, at the Colonial Room in Man, West Virginia. Family and friends who knew and loved Sue are invited to join us as we honor our mother and celebrate her life. The family is being served by the Stafford Family Funeral Home, Lynco, WV.