Darlene Copeland, of 2000 Cedarwood Lane, Suffolk, died Monday, Aug. 31, 2009 at Sentara Obici Hospital. She was a native of Lubbock, Texas and the daughter of the late Andrew and Duetta Petty Sims. She was also predeceased by her husband, Walter Copeland; three brothers, Almo Carr, Jesse Williams and Johnny Sims.
She was a former employee of G.E. Company as a machinist operator. She was a member of Healing Chapel Baptist Church where she was a member of Mother’s Board, Past President and member of Senior Usher’s Board, Missionary Circle, Deaconess Board and active in church youth ministry before her health failed. She was an Eastern Star. She was an avid bowler and received numerous awards. Mrs. Copeland was a caregiver for numerous children in the community.
She leaves to cherish her memory three daughters, Brenda Copeland Newland, Marsha Copeland Whitfield (Wendell) and Vanessa Bennett-Newsome, all of Suffolk; one stepson, William Hyman (Anntionita), of Suffolk; seven grandchildren, Patrice Jones, Louis Newland, Deana Whitfield, Daylan Wilkins, Darsjhon Beasley, LaShonda Newsome, Crystal Wynn; five great-grandchildren, Brittney Jones, Briana Hill, Jamaal Mills Jr., Montreal Smith Jr., Taclana Smith; two sisters, Lela Daniel, of Dekalb, Texas, and Dorothy Bryant, of Hawthorne, Calif.; devoted nephew, Mack Daniel Copeland; devoted goddaughter, Mattie Lee Vodery; host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A funeral service will be at noon, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009 at Healing Chapel Baptist Church with the Rev. Morris Allmond officiating. Interment will be in Albert G. Horton Memorial Veterans Cemetery. The family will be at Crocker Funeral Home on Monday, Sept. 7, 2009 from 7 to 8 p.m. Condolences may be extended to the family at www.crockerfuneralhome.com.