Charlene C. Copeland

Charlene C. Copeland

"Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of the husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain." Proverbs 31: 10-11, NKJV

The journey of life for Charlene C. Copeland ended unexpectedly on Thursday, June 17, 2010.

Her journey began on February 23, 1950, in Charlottesville, Virginia. She was the oldest of four children born to Marcia C. Coles. Charlene was educated in the Charlottesville City School System. She graduated from Jackson P. Burley High School where she was an honor student, a cheerleader and played on the basketball team. Her love of learning led her to take courses throughout her life. At the time of her death, she was learning the American Sign Language through a course at Piedmont Virginia Community College. Although it was challenging, it was a class she thoroughly enjoyed. Charlene started her career at State Farm Insurance Company upon her graduation from high school. She left there after the birth of her first child. Shortly thereafter, Charlene began what became a long career in the banking industry before becoming re-employed with State Farm in December of 1996.

Charlene professed her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and was baptized as a teenager. She became a member of Pentecostal True Holiness Church, which is where the foundation for her service to the Lord began. In addition to this ministry, she faithfully supported the ministry of Hephzibah Church of Deliverance until her death. In the past she served on the usher board, sang on the choir, and taught Sunday School and served as Sunday School secretary. Charlene was a graduate of the late Dr. Anna Thornton's Church of God in Jesus Christ Bible School located in High Point, North Carolina. An anointed bible scholar and teacher of the word of God, she was highly regarded by many for her biblical knowledge. "A walking bible institution" as her husband called her, she used this knowledge to teach seminars and facilitate workshops to help others gain a better understanding of God's word and properly apply it to their daily lives.

Charlene adored her family. Sunday afternoons were dedicated to spending quality time with her husband and daughters and her grandsons, who were her pride and joy. She and her husband, whom she affectionately called "Tweet", were joined at the hip; you never saw one without the other. Their marriage was a true testament to the scripture that says "and the two shall become one." Graceful in appearance and demeanor, she was the quintessential example of what it means to be a virtuous woman; qualities of which she instilled in her daughters. A selfless individual, she gave of herself to help her family, the church, and the community.

Charlene leaves to cherish her memories and legacy, her loving and devoted husband of 40 years, Elder Andrew W. Copeland; her daughters, Shannon and Andrea Copeland; three grandsons, DeAndre, Kobe and Elijah Copeland, all of Charlottesville, Virginia; four sisters, Valeria Yancey of Plainfield, New Jersey, Theodorsia McMillan of Bristol, Tennessee, Michelle Gause and her husband, Eric, of Stafford, Virginia, Sharronda Washington of Charlottesville, Virginia; two brothers, El'Carlos Coles of Charlottesville, Virginia and Michael Gilbert of Maryland; two sisters-in-law, Nancy Copeland Howard and her husband, Lloyd, and Gloria Copeland Hill and her husband, Booker; one brother-in-law, James Copeland and his wife, Sarah; and host of relatives and friends.

Charlene also leaves a special cousin and best friend, Mary Barbour; another best friend and her maid of honor, Louvenia S. Nowell; and a very special friend at State Farm, Brenda Byrd.

She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Walton Chisholm; her niece, Lynn Shelton; her sister, Theodora Gilbert; and her father, Theodore Gilbert.

This great wife, mother and woman of God who was full of love and compassion will be tremendously missed by her entire family, friends and colleagues.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, June 24, 2010, at First Baptist Church on Park Street with Bishop R. J. Michie and Apostle Ronald Wingate officiating and the Reverend Valeria Yancey delivering the Eulogy. Interment will follow at Oakwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the church from 7 until 9 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2010.

J. F. Bell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements www.jfbellfuneralhome.com.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.