Germaine Grainer

Germaine Adele Granier, affectionately known as “Minnie,” went to her eternal life on March 5, 2021, two days after celebrating her 92nd birthday. She is a native of Plaquemine, Louisiana, and the youngest of 11 children born of Joseph and Claire Granier. As such, she developed a special bond with her oldest sibling, Marie. Marie was her second mother, mentor, and best friend. They shared a lifetime of closeness. After high school, Germaine took the lead of her sister Agnes and moved to New Orleans to attend nursing school at Hotel Dieu. After graduation, she began her nursing career at Hotel Dieu, before moving to the VA Hospital. This is where her love story with Henry G. Hopkins, Jr. began and blossomed into a wonderful life together. She was his “petite brown eyed beauty” and he was her “Hoppy.” They soon married and continued their romance for another 68 years, never leaving each other’s side. Even into their nineties they doted on each other every day; it was truly an inspiration to anyone who witnessed. They eventually made their home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which was closer to Minnie’s family. After moving, Minnie gave up her career as an RN and answered her true calling: raising her family. She never lost her Plaquemine roots and visited her brothers and sisters often. Many Sunday afternoons Minnie and Hoppy would put all the kids in the station wagon and travel La. 1 to Plaquemine to visit her mother and her siblings. Minnie was the most loving, compassionate, and considerate person. She led by example. A tireless worker who never quit or gave up on anyone, she was always there to encourage or make someone smile. Minnie was proud of the family she and Hoppy raised together, and was most happy when she had her grandchildren around to love and tease in her special way. She was simply the best wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother one could ever wish for. We love you and miss you Mom, but the world is right again because you and Hoppy are together for eternity.

Germaine Adele Granier is survived by her daughters, Charmaine Hopkins Kleinpeter (Louis Gregory), and Donna Hopkins Garon (Dr. Mark), and sons, Henry Guy Hopkins III (Marion “Missy” Vaughn), and Blake Joseph Hopkins (fiancée Lindsey Regan). Hoppy and Minnie lived every day for the next adventure with their thirteen grandchildren and their seven great-grandchildren: Jonathan Francis Dyer (Michelle Falgoust) and their children, Michael Francis and Cecile “CeCe” Claire; Dr. Mark Tyson Garon (Michelle Martin) and their children Mark Knox , George Patrick and Augustine “Gus” Lee; Brandon Patrick Dyer (fiancée Gretchen Devero); Beau Christopher Garon (Katie Colongne) and their son Cole Warren; Henry “Hank” Guy Hopkins IV (Meri Rowe) and their son Henry Guy Hopkins V; Mitchell Dean Hopkins, Bart Joseph Hopkins, Ashley Marie Hopkins, Christian Lee Garon, Rachel Hunter Hopkins, Cain Michael Hopkins, and William Joseph Hopkins.

Germaine is preceded in death by her husband Henry Guy Hopkins Jr., parents, Joseph Arvil Achille Granier, Sr., and Clara Adele Thibodeaux Granier, brothers, Frank, Joseph, Lawrence, Luke, Bernard, and sisters Marie, Lydia, Agnes, Cecelia, Dorothy, and Annette, and a special grandson Matthew Vaughn Hopkins. The family wishes to express sincere gratitude to the caregivers, Cora Neoland, Cynthia Johnson, and Dr. Mike Rolfsen. A funeral Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Gregory J. Daigle at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 57805 Main Street, Plaquemine, Louisiana. Entombment will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In lieu of flowers or other expressions of sympathy, please consider making a memorial donation in the name of Germaine “Minnie” Hopkins to a charity of your choice. “I’ll be loving you Always, With a love that’s true, Always, Not for just an hour, Not for just a day, Not for just a year, But Always.”