Esther Mae Copney

QUEEN ESTHER MAE, daughter of the late Jessie and Minnie Williams Smith, stepdaughter of Lillie Smith Waters and beloved granddaughter of Molly Williams, began her life’s journey on Saturday, June 18, 1921 in Goldsboro, Wayne County, North Carolina.

ESTHER was the last surviving child, having been preceded in death, in addition to her parents, by her six sisters, Mary Alice Smith, Eula Newman, Fonnie Gunter, Inez Allen, Sara D. Wynn, Evelyn Caldwell-Cox and her baby brother, William Edward Smith.

On Friday, July 26, 2019 at 10:00 am, QUEEN ESTHER peacefully transitioned and shed her earthly shell at home in Hampton, GA, surrounded by her loving family.

QUEEN ESTHER was a true Christian role model – a strong, God-fearing woman – who planted and watered the seed of God’s love and His goodness and mercy toward us into the hearts of her children and her children’s children. Her legacy as an influential, strong, Christian Woman will live on in the lives of her family.

QUEEN ESTHER leaves to celebrate her life and continue her legacy of love and laughter, her 3 Daughters, Barbara Copney and Cora Copney of Hampton, GA, Heather Copney of Brooklyn, NY; 21 Grandchildren; 40 Great-Grandchildren, 13 Great-great Grandchildren, 1 Special Daughter, Lois Barner (William) of Conyers, GA, 1 Daughter-in-law, Brenda Copney of Huntsville, AL, 2 Special Nephews, Reginald Smith of Philadelphia, PA and Colonel Elmontenal Allen of Fort Belvoir, VA and a Special Friend, Willie Dean Champen, a host of nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

In addition to her parents and siblings, QUEEN ESTHER is preceded in death by her husband, Robert “Buddy” Copney, Jr. (2005), her children, Robert “Brother” Copney, III (2005), Joann Jackson (1985) and Jesse Copney (2013), her granddaughter, Gesha Copney (2000), and her granddog, Teddy (2017).