For her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10
On Thursday, March 25, 2021, the death angels visited 209 Spruce Street to receive Mother Shirley Deloris Copeland to her final resting home. Mother Shirley was born on February 4, 1938 in Alberta, VA to the late Robert Lee Walker and Georgia Simmons. Mother Shirley accepted Christ at an early age and was a very faithful member of the New Mt. Joy C.O.G.I.C. where she served as a member of the Mother’s Board and the Senior Choir until her health began to fail. She was a former member of the Hospitality Committee. She retired from Planters.
Mother Shirley had a heart of gold and loved her family, but most of all, she loved the Lord with all of her heart. She possessed a warm smile and a gracious disposition, and she welcomed guests to her home. She loved to encourage people to attend church and to accept Christ into their life. Mother Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Zollie Copeland, Jr.; mother, Georgia Simmons; father, Robert Lee Walker; son, Ronnie Lee Copeland; and daughter, LaNita C. Wiggins.
Mother Shirley leaves to cherish her memories two sons, Sylvester R. Walker (Barbara) of Suffolk, Clinton D. Copeland of Utah; three daughters, Maxine Copeland (Ronald) of Suffolk, Celestine C. Knight (Gary) of Suffolk, and Beverly Walker (Johnnie) of Portsmouth; two stepsons, Wendell Copeland (Tabatha) of Portsmouth, and Ricky Copeland (Audrey) of Georgia; a son-in-law, Elder George A. “Buckey” Wiggins, a sister-in-law, Evelyn Copeland; a brother-in-law, James Carson; eleven grandchildren, Gregory Sykes, Jr., Shallyce Johnson, Kevin Sykes, Dr. LaShawndra Walker, Charmaine Walker, D.D.S., Quincy Copeland, Gary Knight, Jr., Beverly Harper, Jenna Harper, Alexis Knight, and Azorrie Harper; five great-grandchildren, Alexia Bruce, Suhmer Smith, Savannah Smith, Sydni Sykes, and Kamiya Sykes and a host of nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
A special thanks to Sentara Obici Hospital staff, Sentara Home Health, and T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home.
