Mary Alice Copeland

Mary Alice "Babe" Peters Copeland, of Lake Park, GA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at Fellowship Home in Brooks County, GA. Born in the New Lois Community of Berrien County, Nashville GA, on September 2, 1938, she was the youngest daughter of Bernys Walker and Edna Lois Davis Peters of Nashville, GA. She attended New Lois Elementary and Junior High, Nashville High, and graduated with honors from Berrien High School in 1956. She graduated from Georgia Baptist Hospital School of Nursing in Atlanta in September 1959, becoming a Registered Nurse. She was employed in the nursing profession at Georgia Baptist Hospital from 1959-60, Pineview General Hospital (South Georgia Medical Center) in Valdosta from 1960-61, Owens-Illinois Inc. in Clyattville (as a Nurse) from 1961-67, Owens-Illinois Inc. in Orange, TX from 1967-68, Nolan LeBlanc M.D. Pediatrician in Orange, TX from 1968-1971, and Orange Memorial Hospital as Recovery Room Supervisor from 1971-85.

Mary met her husband, the late John David Copeland, at Owens-Illinois Inc. in Clyattville, where they both were employed. She and her husband were united in Holy matrimony by the Rev. Douglas Reddick of Valdosta, GA, on September 1, 1963 at First Baptist Church in Nashville, GA. They began their married life in Valdosta, and in 1965 moved to their Twin Lakes home. In 1967, they transferred with Owens-Illinois to Orange, TX. Upon returning to Georgia from Texas in 1985 she and her husband settled at Francis Lake in Lake Park, GA, for the remainder of their lives.

Mary was a member of Francis Lake Baptist Church where she loved being a member of the adult choir. Although being physically challenged, she remained an active member of the Caring and Sharing Committee until 2019. She was also a member of The Tall Pine Retiree Club in Clyattville. For over 25 years Babe (Aunt Babe), lived alone in her beautiful Francis Lake view home, encourage by her faith in God to live a good life. With her nursing background she daily overcame the obstacles of stroke, diabetes with insulin dependency and diminished eyesight. Even then, she was so blessed to have special ones like Judy and David Kirkland, Julie and Greg Fielding, Karen and Mark Godfrey, Donna and Adam Padgett, and her beautician and friend Angela and Jimmy Noles, family, friends and caring neighbors keeping watch over her when in need. She was a remarkable woman, who faced many adversities, yet she never lost her faith in God, nor her love for everyone in her life. She had a lifelong passion for sharing and giving.

Survivors include her sister Carolyn P. Griffin of Nashville, GA; her brother William W. "Billy" and Judy Peters of Reno, NV; sisters-in-law Carolyn Jackson, Bashie Copeland of Valdosta; brothers-in-law and their wives Robert and Joyce of Valdosta, GA, and Carlton and Linda Copeland of Alachua, FL; nieces and nephews Karen and Mark Godfrey of Jasper, GA, Larry Griffin of Nashville, GA, Brenda and Jim Moorehead, Glenda and Ron Ruiz of Redmond, OR, Beth and Shawn Grundy, Tiffany and Jason Roland and Jennifer Peters of Reno, NV, Jim and Karen Dawkins, Julie and Greg Fielding, Bernice Moon of Valdosta, GA, Susan Copeland of Callahan, FL, Judy and David Kirkland, G.C. and Nicole Ratliff, Chrissy Park, Greta and Will Vargas, Granger Copeland of Valdosta, GA, Mollie and Steve Grote, Jeremy and Rebekah Copeland, Benjamin Copeland of Alachua, FL. Many great nieces and nephews and several great, great nieces and nephews also survive.

Mrs. Copeland was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Copeland, who died September 4, 2001, her parents Bernys and Edna Peters, her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Granger Jacob and Susie Mildred Peters Copeland of Valdosta, her sister Elizabeth Anne “Libby” Peters Carpenter of Reno, NV, her sister-in-law, Almarene C. Dawkins, her brothers-in-law Richard L. “Dick” Carpenter, William E. “W.E.” Griffin, Jacob “Jake” Copeland, Aubrey J. Dawkins, Carl M. Ratliff, a nephew Joseph Dawkins, and a niece Debbie Holland; and Precious, a special family pet companion for thirteen years.

Funeral services will be held at 2pm on Sunday, February 4, 2024 at Francis Lake Baptist Church in Lake Park, GA with Rev. Lyons and Jimmy Noles officiating. Burial will follow at Benevolence Baptist Church Cemetery on Old Clyattville Road Valdosta, GA. The family will receive family and friends at the Francis Lake Baptist Church one hour prior to services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Francis Lake Baptist Church, 5111 Springwater Dr., Lake Park, GA, 31636, or Benevolence Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 1241, Valdosta, GA 3163 or your favorite charity in her honor. Online condolences may be shared on the obituary page at www.mclanecares.com

Carson McLane