Susan Greene Hopson passed away peacefully in hospice care on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024.
Susan was born on June 28, 1955 to Thomas Milton Greene and Juanita Crosby Greene of Cochran, GA. The third of four daughters, she grew up on the Greene family farm in Cochran, surrounded by a large and loving extended family and close friends.
After graduating from Georgia State University with a degree in education, Susan taught school in Gwinnett County for several years before deciding to pursue a career as a physical therapist. She attended the Medical College of Georgia, where she made a number of lifelong friends, and graduated with a concentration in pediatric physical therapy.
Following graduation from PT school, Susan moved to Shelby, NC, where she worked for the hospital and made more friends with whom she would maintain close relationships for the rest of her life. Also, in Shelby, she met Stephen Royster, whom she later married, raising three daughters together.
Susan moved to the Asheville, NC area, working as a physical therapist for Thom’s Rehabilitation Hospital and Irene Wortham Center, a non-profit for children and adults with developmental challenges. Susan was not only a committed pediatric PT for the children she treated at Irene Wortham, she was a compassionate advocate for the families she encountered there, providing respite care for parents and caregivers.
Eventually going to work as a PT for the public school system and the NC Infant and Toddler Program Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA), Susan devoted many years to serving the children and families she worked with, primarily in Yancey and Mitchell counties. She also served as a therapist and later volunteer for the Appalachian Therapeutic Riding Center in Burnsville, NC.
In 2003, Susan met Michael Hopson of Burnsville, and the two married on Cumberland Island, GA in 2005. A devoted husband, Michael would remain by her side until her passing. Prior to, and after her retirement in 2020, Susan volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate/Guardian Ad Litem, continuing her tireless advocacy for the children in her community. She and Michael also provided respite care for foster parents in the area.
A lifelong lover of nature, Susan was an avid backpacker and hiker, in later years with Michael and her dogs by her side. She always maintained a beautiful garden which kept her happily outdoors as much as possible. Susan had an infectious sense of humor, a sensitive and compassionate nature, and a pragmatic attitude toward life. She was a loyal friend and a loving daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother and grandmother. She touched the lives of countless children and families and will be remembered with gratitude, respect and love by all those close to her.
Susan was preceded in death by her mother and father, and is survived by her loving husband,
Michael, her daughters Sarah Royster (John Gilles), Erin Royster, Laura Royster (Jesse Lackey), her step-children Melinda Hopson Renfro (Doyle), Amy Hopson McCurry (Keith), Adam Hopson (Abigail Ramsay), her sisters Teresa Butler (Ray), Janet Lemnah, Maria Greene (Jim Kautz), her nieces and nephews, her grandchildren, and many friends and neighbors.
The family wishes to extend sincerest thanks to the dedicated memory care staff of Governor’s Bend in Erwin, TN. Gifts in memoriam may be made to the Appalachian Therapeutic Riding Center at 299 Riding Center Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.
To send online condolences please visit: www.yanceyfuneralservice.com
