Irene Alice (Dennert) Cope, 98, passed away on August 14, 2020 at Spring Harbor Retirement Center, Columbus, Georgia. She was born January 23, 1922, in Columbia, South Dakota to George and Augusta Dennert.
She was the youngest of four siblings; two brothers, Harold, Bob, and one sister, Myrtle, all of whom preceded her in death.
Clarence Ordan Cope, 94, passed away on October 22, 2022 at Spring Harbor Retirement Center, Columbus, Georgia. He was born July 3, 1928 in Smithville, Tennessee, to Charlie and Retha Cope.
Clarence was the middle child, having an older sister, Wilmoth, and a younger brother, James, both of whom preceded him in death.
Clarence and Irene were ordained ministers with the Assemblies of God. Both attended Southeastern University, Lakeland, Florida.
They pastored six churches over a thirty-six years period, which included five years as lead pastor of North Highland Assembly of God Church, Columbus, Georgia (1968-73).
Following their pastoral ministry they transitioned into Foreign Missions with the Assemblies of God, mainly serving the country of Sri Lanka. Their missionary work included feeding children in India and Sri Lanka, teaching in the national Bible Schools and planting one hundred and twenty-two churches in Sri Lanka.
Beginning in 2006, Spring Harbor became their home. For ten years Clarence and Irene served there as Chaplains providing weekly services for the residents. It’s evident they lived out one of their core beliefs, that the call to ministry is a lifelong commitment. For this reason, their active ministry covered a span of more than sixty-eight years!
Surviving and feeling a tremendous loss are: one loving daughter, Judi Ebert (Bob) and son, George (Cheryl); two grandchildren: Jon Marc Ebert (Melissa) and Jessyca (Cope) Strohl (Steve); and five great grandchildren: William Ebert, Izzabella Golembowski, Lily Golembowski, Luke Golembowski, and James Ebert. Clarence and Irene will be missed by many other family and friends.
A celebration of life for Clarence and Irene will be held at North Highland Assembly of God Church, 7300 Whittlesey Blvd., Columbus, GA. at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, November 12, 2022. The family will be greeting friends following the celebration service.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial donations be made to the missions program at North Highland Assembly of God Church.