Jesse 'Gray Dawg' Gralin Hopper, 67, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at his residence.

He was born on September 14, 1956, to Jessie L. Hopper of Lawndale, NC, and the late Vernie Mae Hoyle Hopper. He was the oldest of his siblings.

Jesse was a graduate of Burns High School, Lawndale, NC. He attended Cleveland Community College where he received a certificate in Heating and Air Conditioning. He was a bus driver for the Cleveland County School System, where he took exceptional care in ensuring the students arrived at school and back home safely.

He was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Jesse enjoyed having a good time and a good laugh; and enjoyed entertaining the ladies. His presence will be greatly missed by our family and his friends.

Jesse was preceded in death by his mother and brother-in-law, Charles Gash.

Left to cherish memories are his estranged wife, Marilyn M. Hopper; his father, Jesse L Hopper; daughter, Calandra (Curtis) McKnight; sisters; Teresa Charlene Gash, all off Lawndale, NC and, Joyce (John) Ruff of Morganton, NC; two grandchildren; Hassiem McKnight and Johari McKnight both of Lawndale, NC; aunts, Marilyn (James) Littlejohn, Edahlia (Donald) Schenck both of Lawndale, NC, and Thelma Hoyle of Gastonia, NC; brother in law, Charles Gash; nephews, Calvin (Crystal) Gash of Shelby, NC and Chavis Gash of Dallas, NC; special friend Linda Smarr of Gastonia, NC, and a host of other relatives and friends.

The receiving of family and friends will be on Thursday, February 8, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at S.T. Enloe Memorial Chapel, Shelby, NC.