Alton Phillip Hopkins

THE SON. . .

Alton “Jami” Phillip Hopkins was born in August 31, 1958, in the city of Brooklyn, New York, the son of the late Joseph and Mary Jones Hopkins. He departed this life on Saturday, September 6, 2025, in Columbia, South Carolina.

In his teen years, Alton relocated to Eastover, South Carolina, where he started his adult life, later moving to Columbia, South Carolina.

THE STUDENT. . .

In his early years, Alton was educated at P.S. 274 Kosciusko and the P.S. 111 School District. He later completed and received his GED in the Richland School District. He attended Midland Technical College, where he received an associate’s degree in general studies. In 1984, he completed a certification class in Brick Masonry, and in 1985, he completed his certification as a Master Brick Masonry.

 THE MAN. . .

 In 1979, Alton met the love of his life, Ms. Phillis Tucker. On April 24, 1985, they united in holy matrimony, a union that was blessed with 40 years of love and devotion, and the births of three lovely children and two grandchildren. In 1983, he was the MCI Boxing tournament winner and a boxing champion.

THE FAITH. . .

Though raised in a Christian home, Alton wanted to follow his own path. This led him to practice other religions and hope to find the truth in his early years. He was a Rastafarian, then later, found the Nation of Islam and became a Muslim. He accepted his name no longer to be Alton, but now Jami, which means “the gatherer, "the uniter, or "the one who brings together." So was his life until the latter years, up until his passing, however, something changed in him through time of prayer. He confessed that he had seen an enlightenment. For all these years of searching for the truth, he finally found the truth, and he accepted that Jesus was the way. And with that knowledge, he then fell asleep.

THE MEMORY. . .

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Roy Hopkins.

He leaves loving memories with his wife, Minister Phillis T. Hopkins; children, Priscilla Yolanda (Quintion) Somerville, Isaac Jami Hopkins, and Elder Ismail Samson Hopkins; granddaughter, Candace Geneva; grandson, Jeremiah Isaiah James; siblings, Elizabeth Campbell, Anthony (Louratte) Hopkins, Ruffus Hopkins, Sharon (Bernard) Taylor, Melissa Johnson, Eric Hopkins, James Hopkins, and Rosemary Ruff;  a host of nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, and other loving relatives and dear friends, all of whom will dearly miss him. 

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