Marilyn Jane Hopkins

Marilyn Jane Hopkins (Murray), age 90, of Fairborn, Ohio, passed away peacefully on October 20, 2026. Marilyn was born in Braddock, Pennsylvania, the only child of the late Edward and Mildred (Lowe) Murray. Marilyn would often talk about growing up in Braddock, at that time a bustling steel city, and spending time with her beloved grandmother.

In addition to her parents, Marilyn was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, William (Bill) Elwood Hopkins (d. 1995), and her son, David Ellis Hopkins (d. 2007), as well as many cousins and friends.

She is survived by her daughter and twin spirit Nancy Jean Alavattam (Hopkins); former son-in-law Vijaya Kumar Alavattam; and their children, Kris G. Alavattam and Kaitlyn S. Alavattam-Grulick. Marilyn and Bill lived with Nancy and Vijaya and helped care for Kris and Kaitlyn as they grew up.

Her other grandchildren, Jason Lacey, April Lowe, Kathryn (Katie) Ryan, and Natalie Bedillion, were always in her heart. She had a special relationship with Kaitlyn’s daughter, Annelise Grulick, and had three other great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She is additionally survived by her daughter-in-law Marlene Opalsky and Marlene’s daughter, Stacey, of Irwin, Pennsylvania; her “adopted daughter” Irene Rutherford of Fairborn, Ohio; and her beloved best friend Nikki Turley (Pratt) of White Oak, Pennsylvania.

Marilyn leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, and dancing. She loved dogs, and they loved her too. For much of her life, you could find her poolside catching some sun, tending to flower beds with Bill, or baking for family. Marilyn was a devoted lover of fashion, shoes, jewelry—and especially her hair. She was a devoted Christian and lover of Jesus Christ.

She leaves behind a family who loved her deeply and will carry her memory forward with gratitude.

Marilyn was a member of New Beginnings Christian Church (formerly Fairborn First Church of Christ) in Enon, Ohio, and was a former member of Bryn Mawr Church of Christ in White Oak, Pennsylvania.

The family will be receiving visitors from 4:00 P.M. until 5:00 P.M. on Friday, October 23, 2026 at the Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, 422 E. Dayton-Yellow Springs Road, Fairborn, OH. Additionally, a celebration of life will be held at the New Beginnings Christian Church, with the date to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Marilyn may be made to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton or the Dayton Humane Society. Arrangements in care of Belton-Stroup Funeral Home, Fairborn, Ohio.