Eloise Hopson Endowed English Education Fund

Before retirement, Eloise Hopson taught English at Hattiesburg High School. She was the kind of teacher who took a very personal interest in her students; one former student reports that, even after he finished high school, Ms. Hopson occasionally telephoned to be sure he remained focused on his college studies.

In 1996, Ms. Hopson established a trust to take care of her finances for the remainder of her life. She instructed that any money remaining after her death be placed in an endowed fund with the Greater PineBelt Community Foundation.

Ms. Hopson directed that the income from that fund be used to help graduates of Hattiesburg High who might go on to college and major in English. The recipient of that endowed scholarship fund is chosen each year by local members of Ms. Hopson's academic sorority, Delta Sigma Theta.

Since Ms. Hopson's death in 1999, the income from the fund, currently valued at approximately $50,000, has been used to help deserving students attend their college of choice. Ms. Hopson's love of the English language -- and its students -- will be preserved and honored in perpetuity.