Jane Copeland

Jane Copeland was born in Augusta, Georgia September 8, 1937 to Smantha Bozeman Martin and W. Stanford Martin. She was the second of four daughters, and spent her childhood in Georgia, South Carolina, Florida and Louisiana, graduating in 1955 from C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Jane married Edward Copeland on February 10, 1956, with whom she celebrated 66 wonderful years of marriage until his passing in 2022. She is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law: Charles and Marolyn Copeland, and James and Amy Copeland, and six grandchildren – Jami (and spouse, Colton Hayden), Alec, Charles Jr., James, Alyssa and Ryan.

Jane lived her life to its fullest, through good times and bad, with compassion and characteristic southern grace and charm. She raised two boys in Clear Lake, Texas, and managed the household while working full time as a nurse in private OB/Gyn practices, all while Edward worked at Nasa by day and played music most nights. With infinite patience she ferried the boys to all their baseball practices and band activities, handled all the shopping and always managed to cook delicious meals – favorites being her southern-style turnip greens and turkey and sausage gumbo. Her homemade apple pie was also a favorite, along with the cinnamon sticks made from the leftover pie dough. Through it all, she led by example with a soft-spoken, gentle nature.

Jane enjoyed painting watercolor landscapes as well as tending to her beautiful, lush tropical garden. Her gardening hobby eventually led to her involvement with the Dig ‘n’ Design Garden Club, for whom her garden was often a featured attraction for the garden-walk tours. She also enjoyed planning the family vacations, especially trips to Grayton Beach, Florida where she and the boys joined many fun family reunions along with her sisters, Jeanie, Hannah and Henrietta. Finally, in her golden years of retirement, she continued to spread joy and sunshine by helping to raise her grandchildren as well as by joining Edward in volunteering with the Sunshiners band to play music at nursing homes and assisted living facilities around greater Houston.

A visitation will be held at American Heritage Funeral Home, located at 10710 Veterans Memorial Drive, Houston, TX 77038, on January 10, 2026, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.

Following the visitation, a Celebration of Life will take place at the same location from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm.