Cassie May Coppage

1922 - 2024

Cassie May Coppage

November 30, 1922 - June 28, 2024

New Bern, North Carolina - In the twilight hours of June 28, 2024, Cassie May Cowell Coppage joined those who had gone on before to their Heavenly Father. As a seeming confirmation from God, a rainbow appeared over her favorite summer place by the river at just the time of her homegoing. Cassie May loved her family, her church and her community. We were looking forward to a 102nd birthday celebration with her many friends on November 30, 2024 -- but there was another plan.

A dedicated mother, an active community member, and a generous friend, Cassie May left an indelible mark on every life she touched. Her life was a testament to her steadfast spirit and unwavering faith. Widowed at the young age of 43, she single-handedly raised her five children, an accomplishment of love and courage that echoes her resilience. Her dedication extended beyond her family and was evident in her commitment to her community. Cassie May was a familiar face at the Welcome Desk at Carolina East Medical Center, where she volunteered for over 30 years. An avid bridge player, she was a member of not one, but five bridge clubs, playing with enthusiasm right up until her last month. Somehow she managed to find time to volunteer for Meals on Wheels weekly and also as an ombudsman with nursing homes. In her later years, she amazed her children in her Sunday afternoon pilgrimages visiting friends in the nursing home. Cassie May loved fundraising for her church and clubs, selling everything from raffle tickets to Stanley products. She held many offices in the Golden Age Club and was a valued member of the New Bern Garden Club, the New Bern Woman's Club, and the Stonecroft Mission Dinner Club.

Her faith was the cornerstone of her life. Cassie May grew up in the Bethany Christian Church in Arapahoe and was a longtime member of Highland Park Christian Church in New Bern, where she taught Sunday School and was a member of the Christian Women's Fellowship. Earlier in her life, Cassie May was a schoolteacher at Chocowinity Elementary School, shaping young minds with her wisdom and kindness. She played high school basketball at Stonewall and college basketball at Atlantic Christian College, where she was a member of the Tri Sigma sorority. As a wife and mother she continued to follow sports, faithfully attending her children's athletic events and enthusiastically cheering for the UNC Tarheels. In her spare time you could find her sunning at her favorite place by the Neuse River.

Cassie May Coppage's life was a celebration of resilience, dedication, and generosity. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her loved ones and the many lives she touched throughout her journey. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her children, Ann Coppage, Susan Perritt (Lytton), Sandra Faulkner, and Ross Coppage (Wanda); her grandchildren, Ashley Brown (Amy), Megan Howard (Tim), Kevin Brown, David Perritt (Bobbi), Hunter Vega (Pablo), Cassie Boyce (Jim), Lauren Coppage, Douglass Coppage (Shannon), and Courtney Coppage (James); as well as great grandchildren, Brittany Miller (Levi), Danielle Brown, Aden, Ashlyn, David, Britton, Evie, Julia, Ava, Lyla, Tyler, and Sam; and great great grandchildren, Kaleb, Alice, and Brom. She is also survived by many nieces, whom she loved dearly, never forgetting to send them a card on their birthdays. Cassie May was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. D.R. Coppage; daughter, Caroline Brown, son-in-law Bobby Faulkner, and grandson, Marion "Trey" Daniels Brown, III.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at Highland Park Christian Church. Funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 3, 2024 at Highland Park Christian Church. She will be laid to rest at Greenleaf Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Highland Park Christian Church or to the Craven Pamlico Animal Services.

We invite you to leave memories and upload photos to Cassie May's memorial page, as we continue to honor her remarkable life.

Arrangements are in the care of Bennett Funeral & Cremation Care.