Beverly Jones Copeland

Beverly Ruth Copeland, 87, of Midland, passed away Saturday, December 14, 2019, at Midland Memorial Hospital. She was born March 8, 1932, in Littlefield, TX, to the late Jessie Alma (Bellomy) and William Taylor Jones.

She graduated from Coleman High School in 1950 then went on to earn her Bachelor's degree from Tarleton State and her Master’s degree from Arizona State University. Beverly married Joe Copeland on December 27, 1950, in Coleman, TX. She and Joe remained married until Joe’s passing in 2007.

She enjoyed a long career in education, where she worked in elementary education with the mentally challenged, eventually retiring from her position of kindergarten teacher Borden County ISD in 1992. Although she never considered herself a writer, one of her proudest accomplishments was getting her book, based on Joe’s childhood, published.

Beverly had a sense of adventure, instilled at an early age from her father’s love of travel, so her willingness to move her family and three small children to Guam in the ’60s was no surprise. In Guam she was able to combine her love of teaching with her love of the water by teaching swimming and survival skills on the island four times a week. After nearly a decade, they moved back to Texas to be closer to their elderly parents. This move hindered the swimming hobby, but her love for the water never changed. She continued her swimming at the Midland Com Aquatics whenever possible. Her focus moved from swimming to volunteering at St. Luke’s Methodist, cooking for her church family and friends, and playing games such as Bunco and Bridge. Bridge, being her favorite, allowed her to combine her two loves by holding Bridge classes for those wanting to learn.

Beverly, survived by her two sons, Wil Copeland and husband, Dale Smith, of Kihei, Maui, HI, and Clay Copeland and wife, Mary, of Midland; daughter, Kay Baergen, and husband, Michael, of Enterprise, AL. One brother, Tom C. Jones of West Cornwall, Connecticut; grandchildren, Lisa Ping and husband Len of Chatham, IL, Chrystal and husband, Andrew Enriquez of Odessa, TX, David Garvin and Wife, Ashley, of Dallas, TX, Kevin Garvin of Irving, TX, Jared Baergen of Brock, TX; and great-grandchildren, Jalen and Justin Ping, and Janson Enriquez.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Joe Copeland.

The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday, December 18th from 5-9 PM at Ellis Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held on Thursday, December 19, 2019, at 1 PM at Resthaven Memorial Park. A Celebration of Life will follow at 2 PM at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church with Rev. Tom Long officiating.

In place of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church Discretionary Funds, Amos ministry in Midland, or a charity of your choice in her name.