Barbara Brunson Copeland

Family-Placed Obituary

Barbara Brunson Copeland, age 58, passed away on April 10, 2004, after a courageous battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on April 24, 2004, at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, 3471 Westheimer Road., Houston, Texas. Barbara was born on February 9, 1946, to Wallace and Elizabeth (Betty) Brunson in Houston, Texas. She grew up in Lubbock, Texas, where her father was petroleum geologist. She graduated from Monterrey High School in 1964 and Texas Technological College in 1968 with the degree of Bachelor of Science in Education. In 1968 she moved to Austin, Texas, to begin a teaching career with the Austin Independent School District. In 1980 she entered the University of Texas at Austin and received the degree of Master of Education in August 1981. Barbara primarily taught 4th grade at Dawson Elementary School and Galindo Elementary School. Her greatest pleasure in teaching was to guide a child that was not having a good educational experience to success through motivation and discipline. During her career, Barbara was a member of a number of professional organizations including Delta Kappa Gamma Society, Alpha Delta Kappa, and Kappa Delta Pi. After teaching for 30 years, Barbara retired in 1998. In addition to her professional organizations, Barbara was a member of the Thankful Hubbard Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and enjoyed serving on the Host Committee of the Ex-Student's Association of the University of Texas at Austin. She gave many hours of work to volunteer organizations including Laguna Gloria Women's Art League, Save the Children Foundation, Ballet Austin Guild, and Women's Symphony League. Following her retirement, she became active in Assistance League of Austin and The Settlement Club. She particularly enjoyed working on Assistance League projects Toy Cart at Children's Hospital and Operation School Bell and the Settlement Club Garage Sale. Barbara received much love and support from her Thursday Bible Study Group. Barbara is survived by her husband of 29 years, James of Austin, Texas; her parents, Wallace and Betty Brunson of Houston, Texas; a brother, Dr. Wallace Brunson Jr.and wife, Ann; and nephew, Trey of Santa Fe, New Mexico, an uncle, Howard Brunson and wife, Linda of Austin, Texas; an aunt, Mrs. Donald Brunson (Elayne) of Baytown, Texas; and numerous cousins. Barbara's family would like to thank Dr.Thomas Tucker and staff of Southwest Regional Cancer Center, Dr. Guido Tricot and the staff of the Arkansas Cancer Research Center, and the wonderful nurses and staff of Seton Medical Center 7 North for their support during Barbara's illness. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Settlement Home, 1600 Peyton Gin Road, Austin, TX 78758, the Humane Society of Austin and Travis County, 124 W. Anderson Lane, Austin, TX 78752; or the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 West Markham, #776, Little Rock, AR 72205-7101. All Faiths Funeral Services-South Austin, Texas