Inez Copeland

COPELAND, Mother Inez - Age 96, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2005 at her residence. Family hour 10:30AM Monday, June 6, 2005 at St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, 3020 Dupont St., with funeral service commencing immediately at 11AM. Dr. J.S. Hopkins, officiating. Interment Flint Memorial Park Cemetery, G-9506 N. Dort Hwy. Friends and Pallbearers will assemble at the church 10:30AM Monday. Mother Copeland now lies in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 11AM-8PM Sunday. Mother Inez (Staten) Copeland was born May 13, 1909 in Monroe, Arkansas, the daughter of James and Lou (Baker) Staten. Her family moved to Flint, MI in 1917 and she has been a life-long resident. She received her formal education in the Flint Public School System beginning at Clark School. She worked as a domestic worker, child-care provider, business woman, and homemaker. She was a loving and caring mother and grandmother to her natural-born children as well as countless other children in the Flint community. Mother Copeland was a founding member, who was dedicated, faithful, and also the oldest member of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church where she served until her health failed. She was a member of the Nurses Guild, Missionary Society, and on the Mother's Board. She also was active with the Blue Star Mothers Board, North Cook Neighborhood Association, Flint Neighborhood Coalition and the Democratic Club Party. She received numerous accolades, honors and awards for her community work. She leaves in God's care: daughter, Fredricka; sons Leroy (Deborah), Michael (Eleanor) and Leonard, all of Flint, MI; and adopted daughter, Ann Louise of Philadelphia, PA; grandchildren, Loretta, Auburn Jr., Eugene, Denise, Kelly, Erika (Hermon), April, Leroy Jr., Al Michael, William Pruitt, Marcellus Sr., Travis, Michael, Shaquille, Katrina, Marvin, Alixandria and Ashli, all of Flint, MI., Florence Lynn and James of San Diego, CA, Carolyn "CC" of Grand Prairie, TX, Rosina Joi of Atlanta, GA, Tensie of Cleveland, OH and Calvin of Philadelphia, PA; a host of great-grandchildren including a sixth-generation grandchild; sister, Elizabeth (Bessie) Holloway and her children Richard, Marion and Marvis; cousins, Dorothy Steel, Joan Baldwin and Sandra Collins of Flint, and Ruth Dawson of Anchorage, AK. Ex-daughters-in-law; Armazell, Roxanne, Karen and Cynthia; and a host of other family, extended family and friends. Mother Copeland joins in death her parents, James and Lou (Baker) Staten; step-mother, Ida Branch; grandparents; children, James (Sarah), Auburn Sr., Laverne and Charles; adopted daughter, Emma Jo; brothers, Roy and Albert Staten; grandchildren, Francis Inez, Kenneth and Tamiko; great-grandchildren, Claudies and Deundra; cherished cousins, Ida B., Viola and Lacey; and many uncles, cousins and close friends. The family wishes to express our gratitude and thanks to Edie and Cecelia of Heartland Hospice, Dr. Eyassu Habie-Gabr, M.D. and his staff for the excellent care shown to our mother, and to Pastor J.S. Hopkins and the St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church family.

Inez Copeland

May 13, 1909 - June 1, 2005