Beryl Wilson Copeland

Ella Beryl Wilson Copeland passed away Monday, January 30, 2017, surrounded by family. Born March 7, 1938 to Floyd and Connie Seymour Wilson in the Goshen, Alabama home of her maternal grandparents, Luther and Polly Seymour. There she was welcomed into a large and loving family. Two years later she was joined by her sister, Betty Ann Wilson Baldwin.

On August 25, 1956 Beryl married John G. Copeland, Jr. and their journey began. After a number of moves around the South, the Copeland's came to call Prattville, Alabama home. On April 10, 2006, John preceded Beryl in death, leaving her to care and be cared for by their large and loving family, many friends, and neighbors.

The foundation of love provided by Beryl's extended family fostered a love of friends, family, and fellowship that was evident her entire life. She loved people and expressed her love through the gift of Godly hospitality. She often fed and housed friends and strangers. She was employed for twenty one years with the Alabama Department of Archives and History where she was most notably known for her work with volunteers and Grandma's Attic.

Her greatest love, however, was for her children and grandchildren. She was a wonderful cook and loved to feed them and was fed in return by their unwavering love and loyalty. She is survived by her sister, Betty Baldwin; two aunts Montez McLeod and Peggy Hubbard; eight children: John G. Copeland, III, Darryl Copeland (Christine), Cindy Dellinger, Carla Metzger, Cheryl Sullivan, Cathy Norris (Walter), Connie Weaver (James), and Jason Copeland (Wendy); nineteen grandchildren: John, Timothy, and Laura Copeland; Joshua and Joseph Copeland; Kimberly Levenson (Justin); Benjamin Dellinger (Kate); Mathew Metzger; Andrew and Nathan Sullivan; Caroline and Mary Cate Norris; Tyler Brooks; Kyle Brooks (Carissa); Heather and Haley Weaver; Patrick Weaver; Cole and Cade Copeland and two great grandchildren: Ella Reneé Copeland and Kyzer Weaver.

Funeral services will take place Friday, February 3, 2017 at Leak Memory Chapel with Rev. Dr. Jay L. Wolf, Jr. officiating. Visitation will be held from 11:00am until 12:45pm with a chapel service following at 1:00 pm. A Graveside service will follow at Darien Cemetery, 988 County Road 57, Crenshaw County, Alabama. Mrs. Copeland's grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

The Copeland family would like to express their love and appreciation to Amedisys, Michael Byers, Dr. Stephen Davidson and staff, and Dr. Jack Cooper and staff for their Christ-like expertise while caring for their mother.