Elder Wilson Hopson, 78, of Prescott, Arkansas, went from labor to reward on Monday, June 8, 2009. Elder Wilson Hopson was born the 10th and youngest child of Willie T. and Sarah Jackson-Hopson in Laneburg, Arkansas on March 28, 1931. He was educated in the public school system of Nevada County. At an early age Elder Hopson was baptized and became a member of the Mount Ephesus Baptist Church where his parents were members. He rededicated his life and later became a member of St. James Church of God in Christ in Willisville, Ark., under the pastorate of Elder Wallace Johnson. God called Elder Hopson to His ministry while a member at St. James COGIC. Elder Hopson would go on to serve as pastor of Cullendale Church of God in Christ in Camden, Ark., for 14 years and was currently pastor of Sweet Home Church of God In Christ in Prescott, Ark. Elder Hopson was united in matrimony with Odessa Gray in Prescott, Ark., on July 29, 1968. To this union, they were blessed with one daughter, Lisa Hopson. Elder Hopson entered service for his country on March 29, 1951 in the United States Army during the Korean War. After his military career, Elder Hopson worked in Rockford, Illinois in construction as a sheetrock installer. He later worked briefly in Hope, Arkansas at Meyers Bakery and retired from Firestone Inc. in Prescott, Ark., as a machine operator. During his retirement years, Elder Hopson was an entrepreneur, affectionately known around the city as the "can man". He loved gathering discarded cans throughout the city and redeeming them at the recycling center in Texarkana as a part time business. Elder Hopson was most at peace when he was preaching, praying, and dancing or rejoicing about the goodness of God. He loved to pray for people and praise God in ministry. He spent countless hours at the farm home site of his parents as caretaker of the 80 acres property and was an avid antique collector. He was blessed to witness the construction of a new residence from blueprint to completion and watch it erected brick by brick. He blessed the completion of the structure with a fervent dedication prayer for the new residence as the contractor and other family members held hands in a circle of unity. Elder Hopson leaves his prayers and blessings: His Wife: (of 41 years) Odessa Hopson, Prescott, Ark. Two Daughters: Lisa Gillard (Danny), Prescott, Ark. Lasonya Hopson (granddaughter), Texarkana. Two Sons: Rickey Smallwood, Fort Worth, TX. Step-son, Dwayne Tidwell, Hot Springs, Ark. One Sister: Annie Mae Dempsey, Wichita, Kansas. Three Grandchildren: Danny Gillard, William Gillard, and Kobe Gillard; And a host of other special relatives and friends. Elder Wilson Hopson was predeceased by his parents Willie and Sarah, One sister, Susie Riggins, and eight brothers, Earnest, Collis, Robert L., Dallas, James, Charles H., Willie T. and James Hopson. FUNERAL SERVICES will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 13, 2009, Faith Temple Church Of God In Christ, Prescott, Arkansas. Military Graveside and Burial to follow at Laneburg West Cemetery, Laneburg, Arkansas. Arrangements by Brazzel/Cornish Funeral Home, Prescott, Arkansas. FAMILY WAKE will be Friday, June 12, 2009, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., at Brazzel/Cornish Funeral Home, Prescott, Arkansas.