Valerie Jean Hopkins affectionately known as “Val” or “Grandma Vallee” by her grandchildren was born June 14, 1952 in Cleveland, Ohio to Carson Joseph Hoffman and Lucille Hopkins. She accepted Christ at a young age and was baptized at the first Mt. Nebo Baptist Church for the first time at the age of 7. She attended Cleveland Public Schools until the passing of her mother at the age of 11 when she moved to East Cleveland to be cared for by her grandmother Sally Hoffman and ultimately her aunt Clara Jean Anglen. She was the eldest of her generation and that meant a lot to her and those who loved her. She took that “eldest cousin” role seriously. She attended and graduated from Shaw High School and went on to attend Sawyer Business College and obtained an associate degree in business administration. She went on to work at Bailey Control Federal Credit Union in Wickliffe, Ohio as a secretary and was also a part-time barmaid at the neighborhood bar called the N’Chateau. In the early 80’s she worked for the Veterans Health Administration in Medical Records and then as an executive secretary. She then began working for Kelly’s Temporary Employment Agency where she continued to take various assignments throughout the 90’s. Then she returned to the Veterans Health Administration where she retired in 2007 in Orthopedics as an Advanced Medical Support Assistant.

Valerie had many hobbies that included walking, yoga, swimming, reading, studying the Bible, spending time with her children and family members, relaxing, talking about everything and dancing. Valerie may not have had a divinity Degree for teaching, but when you sat down and talked with her you thought you were sitting with Apostle Solomon. She didn’t have a degree in counseling, but through God’s grace she gave expert, on time advice to anyone who needed it. She loved listening to music especially her favorite girl Whitney Houston who took over for Dionne Warwick. She loved to hand dance and always enjoyed being prompted by her granddaughter Zsa to show us her moves. She was a good mother who knew she had a purpose in her children’s lives and stopped at nothing to deliver. That purpose was fulfilled by giving them everything she had to give and it was plentiful. Valerie was a great cook, as it runs deep in the Carson sisters bloodline. Although she was a great cook, it did not stop her from eating healthy and organic which became a lifestyle in her 20’s and throughout her life. We’re really going to miss her detailed cooking instructions because she didn’t believe in cutting any corners. Her motto was “if you’re gonna do it, then you might as well do it RIGHT”. She was a daughter, a sister, a mother, an aunt, a cousin and a friend to us all. She was a staple in her children’s lives and will be forever missed dearly.

Valerie was preceded in death by her mother Lucille Hopkins, father Carson Joseph Hoffman, aunt Clara Jean Anglen (Howard) and brother Joseph Carson Hoffman.

2 aunts Marie Murray and Cherrie Houston both of Phoenix Arizona.

Brother Anthony Stokes (Alicia), sister Joann Hopkins, sister Yvonne Hoffman, sister Ebony Hoffman, sister Joyce Wilson, brother Kwame Wright and brother Quaison Wright.

Daughter Jenise Daniels (Bryan), son Milton James Lyles and daughter Ashley Marie Lyles.

Granddaughters Zsabryan Chambers (Tony), Zsanise Daniels and Londyn-Pilar Daniels.

Great granddaughters Dilylah Wall and Gelanni Chambers.

Also left to cherish her memories is the father of her children Robert James Lyles Jr. and a host of loving nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews, many very supportive cousins and a childhood friend to the end Larry Jackson, “Larry Lloyd”.