Darlene Copeland SUFFOLK - Darlene Copeland of 2000 Cedarwood Lane died Monday, Aug. 31, 2009, at Sentara Obici Hospital. She was a native of Lubbock, Texas, and the daughter of the late Andrew and Duetta Petty Sims. She was also predeceased by her husband, Walter Copeland; three brothers, Almo Carr, Jesse Williams and Johnny Sims. She was a former employee of G.E. company as a machinist operator. She was a member of Healing Chapel Baptist Church where she was a member of Mother's Board, past president and member of Senior Usher's Board, Missionary Circle, Deaconess Board, and active in church youth ministry before her health failed. She was an Eastern Star. She was an avid bowler and received numerous awards. Mrs. Copeland was a caregiver for numerous children in the community. She leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Brenda Copeland Newland, Marsha Copeland Whitfield (Wendell) and Vanessa Bennett-Newsome, all of Suffolk; one stepson, William Hyman (Anntionita) of Suffolk; seven grandchildren, Patrice Jones, Louis Newland, Deana Whitfield, Daylan Wilkins, Darsjhon Beasley, LaShonda Newsome, Crystal Wynn; five great-grandchildren, Brittney Jones, Briana Hill, Jamaal Mills Jr., Montreal Smith Jr., Taclana Smith; two sisters, Lela Daniel of Dekalb, Texas, and Dorothy Bryant of Hawthorne, Calif.; three sisters-in-law, Pattie R. Garris, Elaine Lee (Clarence) of Suffolk and Laura Copeland of Florida; six brothers-in-law, Johnnie C. Copeland Jr., Leon Copeland (Mary), Richard Copeland (Barbara), Alvin Copeland (Jacqueline), Charlie Bland, all of Suffolk and Vernon Stagg of New York; devoted nephew, Mack Daniel Copeland; devoted goddaughter, Mattie Lee Vodery; host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A funeral will be at noon Tuesday, Sept. 8, at Healing Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Morris Allmond officiating. Interment will be in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. The family will be at Crocker Funeral Home Monday, Sept. 7, from 7 to 8 p.m. Condolences may be extended to the family at
www.crockerfuneralhome.com.
Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Sep. 6, 2009.