Lena R. Hopkins

Lena was part of CLS’ north star, our beating heart. To say she will be missed doesn’t even begin to articulate the value she brought to the CLS community. Her unwavering commitment to justice was unmatched, her kindness and generosity irreplaceable. But what gives me comfort is knowing that she left a part of her spirit behind in all of us, and now we must honor her legacy by carrying that spirit forward. Lena, you will always be in our hearts. May you rest peacefully.

I’m heartbroken about the passing of Lena. She was a truly special person who selflessly dedicated her life to helping others, leaving a profound impact on everyone she touched. I will forever treasure this photo of our last hug, which perfectly captures the incredible warmth, kindness and love shared so freely. Lena lived with such beautiful purpose and her legacy of service to others will continue to inspire us all. My deepest condolences to her family, the CLS family and everyone who loved her.

While I did not work with Lena closely, her incredible dedication to pro bono work was inspiring to all of us. She made a real difference within the commuities and everyone around her , and she will be deeply missed.

Lena Hopkins was the pianist for Mount Tabor AME's junior choir. She used her gift to mold and shape us into understanding our role in the church. The University of Florida reunited us and Lena, just being Lena provided more insight to navigating campus life. Attend class, Study hard but allow yourself to have fun. The Black Student Union, the Set on Fridays and shopping at the Orange Park Mall! This country girl will always always love Lena. She lived her life showing love and dropping knowledge. Jackie you are her pride and joy! Praise God and thank you heavenly Father for our Lena! Amen.

I met Lena about 12 years ago when I started at CLS. Before I met her, I heard nothing but wonderful things. Her reputation preceeded her.
When she visited the Daytona office she would often stop by and chat for a few minutes, and then say she had to get back to helping people.
She was truly a light in the world and she touched many lives. She is already dearly missed. CLS isn't quite the same without her.
My heart is heavy but I know she is in a better place.

It’s hard to imagine writing a tribute that encompasses all the amazing memories and times Lena and I shared together over the last 16 years. I am part of the CLS family because of Lena. I started volunteering in the Pro Bono unit two years prior to her calling me to see if I was interested in applying for the pro bono coordinator position in the Daytona office. Whether she was training me in the coordinator role, sharing stories over afternoon lunches, attending Bar events together to support our pro bono attorneys, traveling to the Equal Justice Conferences together, working late into the night at our annual legal advice clinics together, or just reaching out to her to say hi or asking for her advice, it was always filled with fun, laughter, and moments I will treasure forever.

Lena was truly one of a kind and always left her mark, smile, and laughter everywhere she went, as well as on the hearts of everyone she came in contact with. Selfishly, we still need her, and I can’t imagine CLS without her. Though no one will ever fill Lena’s shoes (she had some amazing shoes, as well as handbags), we will continue to do the good work and make her proud. Lena always said, “teamwork makes the dream work”, and though she loved working right alongside everyone, Lena could truly make the dream work all on her own.

You taught me that justice isn't linear and we can always do more and be more. Thank you, Lena. You were the soul and spirit of Pro Bono.

For many years, I had the honor of witnessing and experiencing Lena's generosity, humor, dedication and unwavering support, which made her truly one of a kind. She will be truly missed, but will live on with the memories and the difference she made in so many lives, especially mine!

Lena is truly one of a kind. Somehow she convinced me that I had to attend the Back to School Bash every year in July. It was always sooooo hot - and there we were rolling hot dogs. Always a great day.

The messages she would leave me always started out the same "Girl, you gotta call me".

Lena please know that I will still be calling on you - for guidance and wisdom. We miss you on here on earth, but I know that heaven is a better place.

Love you!

I only knew for a couple of years working at CLS, but in that time, I always looked forward to seeing her. She was one of the most outspoken and outgoing people I've ever met, and the way she interacted with me reminded me of family. My favorite days with her was when she came in to the studio to do some radio spots. She was funny, insightful, charming, and so warm. I'm glad I was at least able to get some photos of those days to commemorate the time. I'm eternally grateful to have known her. She's missed so dearly, and already, it doesn't feel the same without hearing her voice ring out from somewhere around the office or at a clinic or event.

To know Lena was to love Lena.
Lena wasn’t just a part of CLS, she was a true pillar of our culture. She embodied what it meant to serve, to care, and to show up wholeheartedly every single day.

I met Lena 9 years ago when I had only been at CLS for a few weeks. I walked into my first annual retreat not knowing many people. The very first person who took the time to greet me was Lena. In her wonderfully direct way, she asked, “Who are you?” Without missing a beat, I smiled and replied, “Who are you?” She looked at me and said, “I’m Lena Hopkins.”
It didn’t take long for me to realize she wasn’t just Lena…she was The Lena Hopkins!
From that day forward, we built a wonderful working relationship. Lena always put clients first. She went above and beyond to make sure they found the legal help they needed, never stopping at “good enough.” She often said, “I love my job,” and she proved it every single day through her dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment.

And then there was her famous “Chile…” If you heard that word come out of Lena’s mouth, you knew it was time to pull up a chair, perk up your ears, and get ready, because whatever came next was going to be memorable, honest, sprinkled with wisdom and a whole lot of laughter.
One of the greatest gifts Lena gave me happened the very first day we met. She made a new employee feel seen, welcomed, and valued. That simple act stayed with me, and I carry it into my own daily practice. Every time I make an effort to welcome someone new, I’m honoring a lesson Lena taught me without ever realizing it.
Lena leaves behind more than memories. She leaves behind a legacy of service, excellence, kindness, authenticity, and a little bit of “Chile…” that will forever echo through the offices of CLS.

Thank you, Lena, for showing us what it means to love the work, love the people, and leave every place better than you found it! You will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever a part of the CLS family.

I only knew Lena for a few years while working with CLS. The times I interacted with her where always amazing. She was such a kind and warm soul that will be missed.

Some people come into your life as co-workers and become family. That is who Lena was to me. She was kind, generous, and always caring. She watched my children grow up and celebrated my grandchildren. Her love and kindness touched all of us in a way that words can never fully express. I will always miss seeing her come down the hall, calling out, "Hey, Poopsie!" It always made me smile and a memory I will always carry with me. The world is a little less bright without Lena in it, but her spirit will live on in the hearts of everyone who was blessed to know her. You will be deeply missed and forever loved. Miss you my dear friend.

I met Lena over 25 years ago while working at the Ocala Housing Authority. Long before I joined CLS (at Lena's urging—and if you knew Lena, you knew saying "no" was never really an option), she became not only a colleague, but a friend. Lena had an incredible gift for bringing people together, making things happen, and inspiring everyone around her with her unwavering belief that we could accomplish anything.
Lena was at my baby shower 20 years ago, and true to form, even while celebrating with family and friends, she was trying to recruit my sister-in-law to do pro bono work with CLS. This was before she was even in the Pro Bono unit. That was Lena. There was no one whose passion for this work matched hers. She would move mountains to help others, and she inspired everyone around her to do the same.
The world has lost an extraordinary human being. We are all better because of Lena. Rest in power, my friend. You have left some very big shoes to fill, and we will do our very best to make you proud.

In the short amount of time I have worked with Lena, she has left a lasting impression in my mind and in my heart. She is the epitome of class, intelligence, hard work, and genuine love for her community. Lena, you will be physically missed but your spirit will live on.

I had the honor of working with Lena for almost 10 years in Ocala. She was one of the most unselfish persons I have ever known. She never met a client that she didn’t help in whatever way she could. She was a true role model and I was so honored to have been a friend and an employee. I know she is with Jesus and be blessed for all the lives she touched.

I'm grateful to have worked alongside Lena for several years. Lena was caring, compassionate, and not afraid to speak up for our clients, colleagues, and those in need. She also played an important role in my professional development by pushing me to grow beyond my comfort zone. Lena’s kindness, strength, and dedication left a lasting impact, and she will be truly missed. She will remain in our hearts and minds forever.

Though I only worked with our dear Lena for a short time, her warm welcome to the CLS Ocala Office, kind guidance, and meaningful words of encouragement completely revealed what a wonderful human being she was. I will always cherish the memories we shared. Thank you for your life, dear Lena!

Lena will be greatly missed, she was not only as a wonderful colleague and asset to CLS and the communities we server, but also as a true friend. My life is better for the experience of crossing her path, and character, in what has been an enjoyable long career at this legal aid program. Ernest Hemingway said, "Every man's life ends the same way. It is only the details of how he lived and how he died that distinguish one man from another." Lena certainly is exceptionally distinguished most outstanding in that regard. Our prayers are with the family. It has been a difficult time hearing this news for her friends at CLS as well! God bless!

I've had the pleasure of knowing Lena for 15 years while working at CLS. She was a great people person and ready to help whomever she could that needed assistance. Her energy was cosmic and her sense of humor was contagious, and I have no doubt she is surrounded by angels.

Lena was everything that CLS stands for and she was a true PILLAR in her community. I will always remember her sharing her love and knowledge of our shared hometown of Ocala. It is difficult to imagine Ocala without Lena and I know I will work to make sure that her legacy continues.

Every memory I have with Lena always starts with "childdd...." before she shared some deep history of Ocala or an organization she worked with. Something that was always meaningful and useful to CLS and our organizations.

Lena was kind and caring but she was not to be messed with. I hope we all take a little bit of that into our work in her honor.

Love always to Lena.

Lena Hopkins was not just a wonderful women, she was an outstanding citizen not only in her community, her church and Community Legal Services but in the hearts of all that had the pleasure of knowing her. Lena is not one of those persons that pass through our lives and goes on, she leaves an indullable stamp on our hearts that will not disappear with time. She left her stamp on my heart and I will treasure it forever. Thank you!