Andre Pierre Copeland

Deacon André Pierre Copeland departed this life on December 11, 2018. He was born on August 10, 1959, in Washington DC, to Eddie and the late Aumeata Louise Hedgepeth Copeland. André was the third of four children. André grew up in Washington DC, and attended the public schools there. He graduated from McKinley Technical High School in 1977 and then went on to Howard University on a full scholarship, where he studied Architecture. In 1982 he graduated, with a Bachelor of Architecture degree. Due to the slow pace of the economy at that time, he immediately entered Howard's MBA program, from which he eventually graduated in 1987. In early 1984, André took his first architectural position as an Architectural Assistant at the Internal Revenue Service. In late 1984, he moved on to the architecture firm of Arthur Cotton Moore Associates, located in the Georgetown area of Washington, DC, as an intern architect. While working there a coworker introduced him to his future wife, Andrea Thompson, in 1986. They found that they had much in common, loved each other deeply, and were married on April 8, 1989. André became a Registered Architect in 1989, and, after another economic downturn in 1990, moved to the Office of the Architect of the Capitol. André loved working here and spent the final 24 years of his career in this office, retiring on disability in June 2014. A highlight of working at AOC was his oversight of the renovations of the Thomas Jefferson and John Adams Buildings of the Library of Congress. Raised in a Lutheran church, in November 2005, André was baptized and joined First Baptist Church of Vienna. He immersed himself deeply in the study of God and quickly became an active member of the Men's Ministry and the Church School. In June 2011, he was ordained a deacon of the church. Until his disability prevented it, André was a Church School teacher, "Feed the Homeless" Ministry participant, and member of the Pastoral Search Committee. He also was a graduate of the Discipleship Training Program. He was eager to assist the church in any way he could when called upon, and used his architectural expertise to facilitate the church's expansion of the Sound Room, renovation of the Kitchen, and creation of the Youth Pastor's office. In June 2013, André was stricken with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm, the aftermath of which he was not expected to survive. But God had other plans; the rupture was repaired and André rallied. Despite many early setbacks and significant deficits, André made the slow trek along the road to recovery. And whenever a roadblock loomed ahead, God placed just the right person there to ensure that, first, mere survival, and then, real progress, could continue. After months in clinical settings, he returned home, and eventually, to church. At the time of his death, he was continuing to make strides and had plans for further progress and growth. Along the way, he inspired many, both near and far. André was a devoted husband and a loving father. He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Andrea; his two daughters, Ariel and Maris; his father, Eddie Copeland Sr.; a sister, Robin Amenda Tinney; two brothers, Eddie Jr. and Sean Copeland; four sisters-in-law, Deborah and Jeanette Copeland, Carmen Lindstrom, and Nicole Thompson; one brother-in-law, Andrew Tinney; his mother-in-law, Gladys Thompson; nine nieces and nephews; many great-nieces and great-nephews; 13 aunts and uncles; and a multitude of cousins. He also leaves behind numerous friends and colleagues. His mother and a nephew predecease him. In lieu of flowers, we are asking folks to donate to: Brain Injury Services 8136 Old Keene Mill Road Suite B102 Springfield, VA 22152 web address: www.braininjuryservices.org or to address above, if making a donation by check.