Claudia Copeland

When my best I've tried to live… and my best in service to give…Then my Lord will carry me home…Home where pain and sorrow ceases - Home where there's eternal peace – In God's ethereal realm, I shall ever roam. Claudia Cynthia Hernandez Copeland quietly departed this life on February 13, 2013 at Northwest Hospital in Randallstown, Maryland. Claudia, a woman of fierce determination and independence traveled through this life confident in the Word of God, devoted to her family and concerned for the well-being of others. Claudia was born on February 6, 1943, the second of four children born to Harry and Mary Ann Hernandez. Claudia was educated in the Arundel County Public Schools, and later attended Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore City. Claudia was an effervescent teenager, talking on the telephone and listening to rock and roll and shoo-wop. Every summer, Claudia's parents visited family in the Bronx, N.Y., where Claudia could be found having fun with her cousin Sheila and the rest of the family. In December 1959, Claudia married a young man from her West Baltimore neighborhood, Charles Copeland. Out of this union the couple rejoiced in the births of five children, Michael, Mark, Maria, Marlon and Martin. The family enjoyed many activities together including fishing, visiting amusement parks, and large family gatherings. Claudia was devoted to her children and created beautiful homes full of flowers, home-cooked meals and love. She was an excellent seamstress, sewing clothes for her children, creating linens, curtains, and performing alterations. It didn't matter what size you bought, Claudia could make it fit! Claudia began her spiritual journey at Leadenhall Baptist Church in South Baltimore. She later joined St. Pius V Church where her children were baptized. In the mid 1960's Claudia joined the Church of All Saints, where her children were seated on the front row where they were less likely to get in trouble! Claudia began to attend Mass at St. Gabriel's in 2009. She was comforted by the friendliness of the parishioners and found peace and encouragement there. Claudia sat in the fourth row every Sunday, accompanied by her great-granddaughter, Tatiani. Claudia worked in the retail industry her entire life. As a teenager, she worked at Lafayette Market on Pennsylvania Avenue. She later held positions at Read's, and Sears both in Mondawmin Mall. Recognizedfor her management skills she became a buyer for Hendin'sLadies Fashions and a manager at Pacey's Bridal Salon on Eastern Avenue. Claudia remained in the retail bridal industry for many years, sending beautiful brides and handsome grooms down the aisle. She retired from After Six Formal Wear several years ago but went back to work part-time for Men's Wearhouse. Claudia rejoiced in the lives and accomplishments of her family. She loved her children unconditionally and never turned anyone away that needed help. Looking for Claudia? You could find her at work, in Walmart or some other store, buying food, clothes, flowers, or whatever her family needed. Claudia was acknowledged as the loving matriarch whose opinion and guidance was sought out and respected by all. She was an active and vocal participant in the lives of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Whether you called her Ma, Grandma, Aunt Claudia, Cousin Claudia or just Claudia, she believed that her children and indeed all children, were the promise of the future. Our death is not an end if we can live on in our children and the younger generation. For they are us, our bodies are only wilted leaves on the tree of life. --Albert Einstein We are heartbroken, we are sad. But we are here today to celebrate for we are blessed beyond all knowing to have had Claudia in our lives. Claudia leaves to cherish her memory her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Danette Copeland; son Mark Copeland; daughter and son-in-law Maria and James Franklin; son and daughter-in-law Martin and Maria Copeland; Sister and brother-in-law Elsa and Edward Singleton; and brother and sister-in-law Angelo and Karen Hernandez. Claudia leaves to cherish her memory her twenty grandchildren: Kyle, Michael, Jazmine, David, Brian, Antwon, Eric Sean, Dustin, Michael, Cynthia, Heather, Janea, Marlon Jr., Patrice, Ayana, Christin, Martin Jr., Austin, Olivia, and Alyssia and fourteen great-grandchildren: Herschel Jr., Cesar, Ayana, Aliyah, Ashton, Diran, Brielle, Willow, Mya, Tatiani, Marlon III, Makayla, Malcolm, Maddy and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. We thank God for sharing Claudia with us! The family will hold a viewing at 8:30 a.m. followed by Mass at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, February 20, 2014 at St. Gabriel Church 6950 Dogwood Road Windsor Mill, MD 21244. (410)944-2106 Flowers can be sent by Wednesday, February 19, 2014 to Cremation and Funeral Alternatives 8717 Green Pastures Drive Baltimore, MD 21286. (410)321-1005