Frances Byers Copeland

Frances Byers Copeland passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 3, 2013.

Frances was born in the Weldon Community, Houston County, Texas to Harvey C. Byers and Minnie Iva Moffatt Byers on May 29, 1919.  She spent her early life in Weldon, where she graduated from Weldon High School, May 28, 1937.  She attended college at Abilene Christian College, Sam Houston State University, and graduated from David Lipscomb College in Nashville, TN with a B.A. degree in English, June 10, 1949.  She taught elementary school in Tarkington, Texas after graduation.

On October 3, 1952 Frances was married to Uriah Ervin Copeland at the Grangerland Church of Christ in Montgomery County, Texas.  They enjoyed almost 20 years of happy marriage before U. E. died of ALS on January 7, 1972 in Houston, Texas.  She was the loving mother of daughter Alice E. Duplichan, son Jim D. Copeland, and step-daughter Mary E. Arrington.

Throughout her lifetime, Frances was a faithful member of the Church of Christ, serving many years as a Sunday School teacher and Ladies Bible Class teacher in congregations in the Houston, Texas area. In 1992 Frances moved to Garland, TX to live near her daughter, Alice, where she was a member of Austin Street Church of Christ; and, in 2004, she moved to Wylie, TX, where she was one of the founding members of the North Pointe Church of Christ, then meeting in the Murphy Middle School, Murphy TX. She lived in Wylie until her health made it impossible for her to continue living alone; and moved from Texas to live with her son Jim and his family. Those who knew Frances well, know that she enjoyed crocheting, sewing, cooking, reading, writing poetry, working crossword puzzles, tending her flowers; and that she collected stamps, rocks & dolls. Her yard was always one of the prettiest in the neighborhood. Even if you did know her well, you might not know that she also played basketball in high school.

Frances is survived by her daughter Alice E. Duplichan and her husband Jack L. Duplichan of Wylie, Texas; her son Jim D. Copeland and his wife Melissa Odle Copeland of Fleming, Colorado; and her step-daughter Mary E. Arrington and husband Tommy Arrington of Jacksonville, Texas.  She will be remembered as Gran to her five grandchildren: Carla Duplichan Blanck and husband Sean Blanck of Wylie, Texas; Jack L. Duplichan, Jr. and wife Sarah Harms Duplichan of Wylie, Texas; Mark D. Copeland and wife Kara Cable Copeland of Lubbock, Texas; Tyler S. Copeland and wife Brandi Pendley Copeland of Lubbock, Texas; and Zachary B. Copeland of Fleming, Colorado; and 8 step-grandchildren; Tony, Timmy, Kay, Stacey, Shelley, Carl, Alan and Kristi.  Great grandchildren include:  Harrison and Cheyenne Blanck, Haley and Ava Duplichan; and Emma Grace and Hadlee Copeland.  She is also survived by one brother John Robert Goodrum of North Richland Hills, Texas.

Frances was preceded in death by her parents, husband, three brothers, one sister, and two step-daughters.

A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 1:00 PM at the North Pointe Church of Christ, 7030 Texas Hwy 78, Sachse, Texas 75048. Frances was cremated and a private burial beside her husband U. E. will be held at a later date. Condolences may be sent c/o Frances Copeland Family, PO Box 274, Fleming CO 80728.  In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider making donations to the Disabled American Veterans Fund. http://www.dav.org/donate/MemorialHonoraryGifts.aspx.