(February 20, 1932 ~ December 2, 2018)
Mary Esther Clark Copeland, 86, passed on to glory on December 2, 2018 in Huckabay, Texas.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 8th at 10 a.m. at the Huckabay Church of Christ at Huckabay, Texas.
Mary Esther Clark Copeland was born on February 20, 1932 in Garfield, Dona Ana County, New Mexico to Otis Alfonso “O. A.” Clark and Lila Mary Dawdy Clark, the fifth of 12 children. She graduated from high school at Stanley, New Mexico and attended Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM and graduated from Abilene Christian University in Abilene, TX in 1955.
Mary taught elementary school for three years. She married A. B. Copeland Jr. of Erath County, Texas on December 29, 1956 in Carlsbad, NM. They moved to Huckabay, Texas to run the family dairy farm in July of 1957. The first of five children was born in November that year.
Mary was a fine Christian woman and was a member of the Huckabay Church of Christ for over 60 years. She grew up taking care of her younger brothers and sisters and then her own crew of five. She also took care of her in-laws for years and was always ready to carry food to the sick and bereaved of the church and the community. Through the years, she prepared hundreds of meals for visiting preachers and missionary families that came to visit Huckabay She was known for her sweet tea with lemonade, chocolate chip cookies and coconut cream pies, as well as many other dishes she prepared.
She taught Bible class at church for many years. Through World Bible School, she taught hundreds of students in Nigeria and other parts of Africa by mail, all before the age of the computer. She prayed for folks near and far and would discuss the Bible with all who were interested.
She was a mentor and friend to many women at church and in the community. She loved everyone and was loved in return, as evidenced by the multitude of cards she received while she was sick. She will be greatly missed.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents, O. A. Sr. and Lila Clark; husband, A. B. Copeland, daughter-in-law Sharon Johnston Copeland; brothers: James and Warren Clark; sisters: Ruby Fay Clark, Lila Doyle, Opal Lepel, and Jewel Caffey; in-laws: Steve Hoxie, Fred Bonney, Bill Roberts, Gilbert Lepel, Mitch Caffey, and Inez Clark.
Mary is survived by her children: Sallie and Kevin Mackey, Robert and Teresa Copeland, David and Margie Copeland, Brian and Deanna Copeland, Sam and Alice Copeland; grandchildren: Amanda and Jonathan Shouse, Katie Mackey; Curtis and Emily Copeland, Dianne and Matt Jones; Kaitlyn and Andy Brewer, Ben Copeland, Lauren Copeland; Rachelle and Jeremy Davis, J.T. Copeland, Sierra and Kason Bevel, Aron Pilkington, Lakota Pilkington, Levi Copeland; Nathan and Krystle Copeland, Adam Copeland and Camille Copeland; great-grandchildren: Elizabeth and Audrey Copeland; Evelynn and Owen Jones; Marley and Drew Brewer; Case, Ryland, Isabelle, and Amelia Davis; and Jashten Copeland; and soon to be born James Bevel; brothers and spouses: John and Elma Clark; Charlie and Nida Clark; O. A. and Linda Clark; Dan and Laronna Clark; sister: Dottie Hoxie; in-laws: John and Teena Clark Perkins; Ron Doyle; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
The family wishes to thank the folks at CCS Hospice of Dublin, especially nurses Connie, Rena, Leslie and Flora, and aides Rosa and Gabriella. Special thanks to Patty Miller for all her love and help on weekends. Thanks to those from the church who have provided rides to church, love, care and support over the years as well as food to the family recently.
Be the first to comment