Anjinea Lasha Hopson

By Staff, 03/25/21 8:18 PM

Anjinea LaSha “Sha” Hopson, age 49, of Chicago, IL, the Lord Giveth, December 3rd, 1971, in Hot Springs, AR to the late Jessie and Gwenell Martin Hopson Osby.  The Lord Taketh Away, Saturday, March 13, 2021.   

Sha accepted Christ at an early age, was baptized at Visitors Chapel African Methodist Church, later attending Nazarene Baptist Church and St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Sha’s first time playing organized basketball was with the AAU Basketball League and she was coached by Mrs. Jane Nichols.

Sha was a 1990 graduate of Hot Springs High School where she was the star female Basketball player for the mighty Trojans, she received many honors ultimately being named the Gazette Female Player of the Year and Miss Basketball for the State of AR. She attended the University of Arkansas Fayetteville where she holds the record for the most three-point shots in a single game, she went to the Olympic Festival and as a result, she was on the Gold Medal winning Team. She later graduated from Grambling University where she was named SWAC MVP, Louisiana newcomer of the year, National Player of the year candidate and in the NCAA she was ranked number 7 in steals.She also competed in the ESPN Collegiate 3-Point Shootout.  While at Grambling, she pledged Delta Sigma Theta.  She then played professionally in Madrid Spain until locating to Chicago.

Sha was a resident of Chicago, IL, where she built a legacy as the founder and head coach of the Chicago Lady Demons. Von Steuben Women’s Varsity Head Coach. Chicago Hoops Express coach, Physical Education instructor at Woodlawn Elementary and she was a D-1 Collegiate referee.

Anjinea LaSha was preceded in death by her aforementioned parents; maternal grandmother, Jennie M. Martin; great-grandparents, Ernest and Georgia Wilson; paternal great-grandparents, Hilda J. and Willie Martin; great aunt, Trudy Lowe; uncle, Rickey Martin and paternal grandfather, Jonah McClure.

Sha leaves to cherish her precious memories: daughter, AjeyaLanai Brandon- Hopson, Savannah, GA; two brothers: Rodney Eric Hopson, Hot Springs, AR and LaMont Anthony Hopson, Philadelphia, PA; maternal grandfather, Billy Martin, San Diego, CA; paternal grandmother, Lois Hopson, Hot Springs, AR; uncles, Retired Presiding Elder Randolph(Charolett)Martin, Hot Springs, AR, Brad and Tony Martin, San Diego, CA, William Smallwood, Jr. Prescott, AR; great uncle, Robert “Bob” Johnson, New Britain, CT;  aunts Brenda(Tommy) Howard, Davenport, IA and Karen(Joe)Fearce, San Diego, CA; nieces: Keyasha and Jasmine Hopson and nephew Jacquz Hopson all of Denver, CO; numerous cousins who all shared a special place in Sha’s heart; special friends Kolonda King, Kevin Stephens, LaVenia Hicks, all of Hot Springs, AR; Lionell Hicks, Tampa, FL; fiancé Tauria Staple, Chicago, IL; a host of children mentored by Sha and many friends far and near.

Sha’s Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00pm, on Saturday, March 27, 2021, at Hot Springs Trojan Arena and will be live broadcasted from Brandon’s Mortuary Facebook. There will be a viewing from 11:00am – 12:45pm, Saturday morning prior to the service. Her earthly body will be laid to rest at Crestview Memorial Park in Hot Springs. Brandon’s Mortuary is entrusted with professional services. Sha’s online guestbook isavailable at www.brandonsmortuary.com.