Mary Hays Holmes Hopkins was born July 11, 1933, and died July 19, 2020. Most knew her as “Miss Mary.”  She was 87 years old. In 1959 she moved back to Vicksburg and bought the Hopping H Ranch where she lived ever since. After the death of her daughter in 1989, she fulfilled her daughter’s dream of teaching disabled children to ride. It was then that she established Equiable. Gratitude goes out to the Vicksburg High School Key Club for showing up each week to help “Miss Mary” work with the riders.

Her father was in the Army Cavalry and so the love of horses came naturally to her. In 1996 she was recognized as a “Community Hero” by the United Way and carried the Olympic torch through Vicksburg. In 1997 she was awarded the Merle Wood Humanitarian Award by the American Quarter Horse Association. And in 2010 she was inducted into the Mississippi Quarter Horse Association Hall of Fame. She also formed the first 4-H horse riding club in Mississippi. As a horseshow judge she traveled all over the United States and the world.

Preceded in death by her daughter, Mary Andree’ Hopkins; her father; her mother; and her brother. Survived by a nephew, a niece, a great-niece, and a great-nephew.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Special Olympics or your favorite charity. Services will be held in Biloxi at a later date.