Elbert Ray Cope

1941 - 2022

Cope, Elbert Ray

June 25, 1941 - August 30, 2022

Elbert Ray Cope, 81, beloved husband of Jacqueline Cope, passed away Tuesday, August 30, 2022.

Born in Candler, NC, he was the son of the late Cecil and Dorothy Lovingood Cope.

Ray graduated Enka High School in NC in 1959, and Berea College in KY in 1963, where he earned his BA in business administration.

Ray moved to Winston-Salem and worked for Wachovia Bank and Trust Company in the trust department, becoming manager of the Charitable Funds Department. In 1991, he became president of the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, which is dedicated to improving the health and quality of life of residents throughout North Carolina. He retired in 2004 and received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award, for persons who have made significant contributions to the state and their communities.

The most important things in Ray's life were his wife, his children, and his family at New Friendship Baptist Church, where he attended and served for 41 years. He was an active man--playing tennis, softball, bicycling and running--and he was a man of great character, faith, and family values. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him.

In addition to his wife, Ray is survived by his son, Gavin Cope of Fountain Inn, SC; daughter, Tammy Cope Propst of Greenville, SC; and granddaughter, Nola Claire Propst of Brooklyn, NY.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Lilian Marie Propst; and brothers, Carl Kermit Cope of Alvin, TX, Ronald Andrew Cope of Lufkin, TX, and Carroll Wayne Cope of Sevierville, TN.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, September 6, 2022, from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. at Taylors First Baptist Church, followed by the funeral service at 12 p.m. Burial will be held in Taylors First Baptist Church Cemetery.

Condolences may be left for the family by visiting www.thomasmcafee.com.

Thomas McAfee Funeral Homes, Downtown

639 N. Main St., Greenville SC29601