On Wednesday, August 6, a young person returning supplies to Evans House saw a person lying in the landscaped area at the southern edge of diocesan property. When the person could not be roused, diocesan administrator Alan Boyce called the police who arrived promptly, blocked off the area and determined that the man was deceased. Police were not able to release much information that day, including a cause of death. Within an hour of the discovery of the body, local media outlets sent reporters to interview staff and others in the neighborhood. Several days later, the medical examiner ruled out foul play but at the time of press, a cause of death still had not been determined.
Evans House staff felt strongly that it would be appropriate to hold a memorial service and plant a tree in his memory. Shortly after the news reports aired, a relative of the grieving family members contacted staff to thank them for their sensitivity and said that they would attend the memorial service.
The Rev. Stephen Stanley, associate rector at Christ Church, Roanoke, agreed to help plan and lead the memorial service. He has over 26 years of ministry experience with the homeless and had just attended an urban ministry conference.
Diocesan employee Kate Garcia was particularly moved by Stanley’s compassion for the family.
“A relative asked Stephen whether their brother had ever worshiped inside the Evans House chapel. I was touched when Stephen said that he did not know the answer, but he did know that their brother did not have to come inside the building to find God,” said Garcia.
Former diocesan chancellor Sam Darby played the guitar, leading hymns such as “The King of Love My Shepherd Is” and “In the Sweet Bye and Bye.” About 30 attended the service for Darrell Hopkins, including some of his family and friends, as well as diocesan staff and others from local churches.
Stanley said, “Our purpose here is to offer comfort to the family and say to them, ‘Your loved one is cared about and God is with him and we are with you.’”
The 40-minute service concluded outside where Stanley blessed a Foster holly that was dedicated to Hopkins’ memory. The holly was purchased and planted by Dr. Bob McClanahan, a diocesan volunteer who attends St. Paul’s, Salem.
After the service, light refreshments prepared by Ann Garst and Martha Teague of St. John’s, Roanoke, were served in the Light Room.
“We know that much is being done across our diocese for those who are homeless and alone—but we also see, most poignantly, that there are those who slip through the cracks,” said Alan Boyce. //