V. Naomi Copeland

Naomi had a genuine impact on the lives of everyone who knew her. She will be remembered as kind, intelligent, and selfless.

One day in 1954, she made an impact on a young soldier, Cecil Copeland, stationed in Korea with her brother. He saw her photo, and asked if he could write to her as a pen pal. He would be the love of her life and the father of her 4 children: Neil, John (Debbie), Sheila (Greg) Elliott, and Lori (Terry Brian) Grant.

She and Cecil raised their family in Holt, Michigan. Having lost her own mother as a child, she strove to teach her family strong values of faith, kindness, and generosity, always leading through example.

She loved to sew, craft, and crochet, creating elaborate quilts, doilies, and doll clothing. She also had a green thumb, helping Cecil plant and maintain a beautiful garden. And she cooked the most wonderful dishes. But what those who knew her will remember most is the love and bits of herself she put into everything she did.

A lifelong Christian, she dedicated her life to serving the Lord as well. For over 65 years, she was a member of Greater Lansing Assembly of God. For years she served as the secretary of the church while also volunteering within various ministries. Her impact on the church itself, and the countless people she touched while there, cannot be measured.

Preceded in death by her parents Robert and Leta Taylor and husband Cecil, she is the eighth of her siblings to pass. She is survived by her four children and eight grandchildren:, Angel (Carlos) Guerrero, James Copeland, Katelyn (Jeff) Ford, Rachel (Michael) Darden, Christian Grant, Michelle Copeland, Cameron Grant, Michael Elliott, April Copeland, Aaron Copeland, and her seven great-grandchildren: Caddin, Cory, and Paris Osborn; Lennon, Layne, and Lola Copeland; and Elliott Ford, and one great-great-grandchild, Trenton Osborn. She is also survived by her brother, Marvin (Louise) Taylor.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 12:00 PM, with a two-hour prior visitation from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, at Greater Lansing First Assembly of God, 2717 West Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823. Following the service, Naomi will be laid to rest in Deepdale Memorial Gardens, 4108 Old Lansing Rd., Lansing, MI 48917.

Serving as pallbearers are Christian Grant, Cameron Grant, Michael Elliott, Aaron Copeland, James Neil Copeland, Corey Copeland, and honorary pallbearer Jeff Ford.

Contributions in Naomi's memory may be made to Greater Lansing First Assembly of God, 2717 West Rd., East Lansing, Michigan 48823 or Sparrow Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, 1210 W Saginaw St., Lansing, Michigan 48915.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grlansing.com for Naomi's family.