Betsy English Copeland

Posted on January 19, 2018

Betsy E. Copeland died Jan. 5, 2018, at Westminster Oaks in Tallahassee. Betsy was born in Taylor County on Nov. 12, 1930, to John Otis and Jennie English (Sheffield) as the fourth of six children.

She graduated from Taylor County High in Perry before joining two of her older sisters in Miami. While modeling and working for the state, she met a friend’s brother serving in the post war US Navy. She soon married Machinist Mate Allen H. (Buddy) Copeland of Miami. First stationed in Key West, they began their life together, adding two children while station-hopping, including stints in Hayward, Calif. and Holy Lock, Scotland among many others. After a naval career, and a stop in Merritt Island for the Apollo program, the family eventually settled back in Miami. Upon retirement, Betsy and Buddy settled in Tallahassee. After the loss of her husband, Betsy eventually shared a home with two older widowed sisters. Later, Betsy helped found what is now Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Tallahassee.

Betsy was preceded by: her husband, Allen H. Copeland; son, John Allen Copeland; and all five of her siblings.

Betsy is survived by: her son, Bruce L. Copeland (Renee) of Tarpon Springs; grandchildren, Megan Renee Copeland and David Allen Copeland of Tarpon Springs; daughter-in-law, Marta Ferry of Tallahassee; sister-in-law, Francis English of Shady Grove; and Martha Copeland Hazlett of Orlando; along with numerous nieces and nephews and many Tallahassee friends.

A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, at Covenant Evangelical Presbyterian Church, 2221 Old Bainbridge Rd, Tallahassee. A private interment will be held later at MeadowWood Cemetery in Tallahassee by Cully’s MeadowWood Funeral Home.       In my Father’s house are many mansions…John 14:2 (KJV)