Mrs. Estella Lee (Baker) Copelyn

Estella Lee Baker Jenkins Copelyn was born September 7, 1920 in Navasota, Grimes County Texas, in the community of Whitehall, to the parents of Mary Madeline and Raymond Baker. Estella accepted Christ at an early age by joining Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. After a few years of living with her parents, WillieMae Sinyard decided to assist in raising Estella. This was Mary’s older sister. Estella attended school during a time when obtaining a quality education was sometimes difficult.

Later in life, she met and married Elijah Jenkins. To this union two daughters and one son were born. Eight years later, she divorced Elijah and moved to Houston. Her three children remained in the community of Whitehall with the rest of the family. While in Houston employed as a laundry worker, in 1952 Estella met and married Richard Copelyn Sr. He served in the military, U.S. Army division during World War II.

The loving couple purchased their home in 1952, located in Houston’s Greater Heights. A couple of years later they welcomed Richard Copelyn Jr. into the world.

Fifty years of marital bliss was shared before God called Richard Sr. to his eternal home in 2002. After Richard Jr. was born Estella became and home maker and nurturing mother to her four children. A few years later she became a grandmother and was affectionately known as “motherdear”. Estella had an independent nature and a feisty spirit. Throughout the years of interacting with her adult children and grandchildren, Estella would live to see her three older children be called to their eternal resting place.

Richard Jr. has been her provider and mainstay until she was recently called home for eternal rest.

Estella Copelyn quietly and peacefully made her transition in the comfort of her home on November 7, 2023. Her light is carried on by her son Richard Jr. She also leaves to cherish her memory, 9 grandchildren, 25 great grandchildren, 19 great great grandchildren, 3 great great great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.

Estella Copelyn is preceded in death by her parents, Mary and Raymond Baker, her husband Richard Copelyn Sr., daughters Lois Peavy and Lola Negret, son OW Jenkins, grandchildren, Felicia McKinley and Arthur L. Peavy Jr., great great grandson, Ismael Wesley.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.carlbarnesfuneralhome.net for the Copelyn family.