Ellen Hopkins Rhinehart

Ellen Hopkins Rhinehart, 89, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2026. With a lifelong love of dance, she must have heard the music of heaven calling.
Ellen collected hearts and friends wherever life led her. Raised in Virginia, she was the second of four children born to Aubrey and Virginia (Gin) Hopkins. She spoke fondly of her high school years at E.C. Glass in Lynchburg, Virginia, and was a proud graduate of Johnston-Willis Hospital School of Nursing in 1957. From both came friendships that endured a lifetime.
She and her then husband moved to York County in 1964, raising their family in the Edgehill community. Ellen would call Yorktown home for the remainder of her life.
Being a nurse was her calling. As a Bruton High School nurse, she loved her time with the students – even taking on the role of golf coach while there! She later worked as an occupational nurse at Ball Metal until her retirement. Not quite done yet, Ellen volunteered at the Lackey Clinic and returned to the schools as a substitute nurse.
Always active, she embraced life’s joys – and an amazing circle of friends – through her bridge clubs, bunco groups, sewing, golf, dancing, Red Hat Society, Twelve Caring Women, travels and Sunday school.
Above all, Ellen was a loving mom, daughter, sister, aunt, grandma, and treasured friend to so many. Her immediate family was held close through their shared love of the family cottage on the Great Wicomico River. A devoted follower of Christ, Ellen cherished her church family.
Ellen was preceded in death by her younger brother Joseph Aubrey Hopkins, Jr. She is survived by her children Kathleen Speak, Karen Ward, Kirk Rhinehart, and Kerri Smith; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom she greatly adored; and her siblings Peggy Hopkins Johnson and John Hopkins. A special thank you to her incredible “sisters” – Susan Shaw, Beverly Black, and Bonnie Bennett who were by her side to the end.
Ellen showed us how to live a life rich in family, friends, and meaning. And if music is playing in heaven, we can know she is already dancing.
Join the family for a celebration of life at 3pm on September 13, 2026, at Amory Funeral Home, after which the family will receive friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lackey Clinic in Yorktown, lackeyclinic.org.