Willena Harden Hopson, affectionately known as Willie by her scores of friends and family, made the transition from Labor to Reward on January 21, 2025.

Willie was born to Sally Henrietta and Bill Harden on October 6, 1953, in Newport News, VA. Sally and Bill raised Willena with love and affection and spoiled their only baby girl endlessly. It was when she was 16 that she learned that the woman who she thought was her FAVORITE aunt, was her birth mother. After this, her love for Vernice Stevenson grew stronger and their relationship blossomed.

Willena was a lifelong Hamptonian attending and graduating from several Hampton City Schools. She was a graduate of the 1971 class of Hampton High School. She left school and went on to work various jobs. At 23 she landed a job at the Hampton VA Medical Center. Her first job there was in the kitchen with her best friend of almost 60 years Linda Banks-Greene. She quickly advanced up the latter and eventually started working in the file room where she would meet and make lifelong friends with many. In October of 1989 she left the VA to work at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth where she would work until 2017 when she retired.

Her most life-changing job was when she was 19 working at Marvin's Market. It was there, she relayed a message with her future sister in love, Harriett Anna, that she was interested in her brother that drove the green car. Once he heard, he sprang into action and years later that would produce a 37-year marriage to Mr. James M. Hopson Sr.

Willena is preceded in death by her parents Sally and Bill Harden, her birth mother Vernice I. Stevenson, her beloved stepfather Isaac Stevenson, her brothers Antar, Rodney, Michael, and Phillip, and sisters Mary and Cheryl, her nephews Tracey, Davon Jr. and Paul, and niece Fatima.

She is survived by her children James, Lynne, and daughter in love Amanda and her "Favorite" Reginald. She also leaves behind 5 beautiful grandchildren that she adored, Victoria, Dominique, Donovan, Greyson, and Mahogany, her remaining siblings Regina, Annette, and Maurice (Monica), and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Willena loved traveling, casino trips, and eating good food with the people she loved. She was a prayer warrior, a cancer survivor, a boss, and a part time comedienne! Her love, affection, and words of wisdom will be amongst the many things we miss about her. Take your rest! "Well Done, good and faithful servant"- Matthew 25:23.

Viewing will be held Friday, January 31, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Cooke Bros. Funeral Chapel, 1601-27th Street, Newport News, Va. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 1, 2025 at the chapel.