William James Copes Sr.

HIS LIFE AND LEGACY William James Copes, Sr. (1935-2021) was born to the late William James and Alene Ewell Copes on October 31, 1935 in Chincoteague, Virginia. He departed this life peacefully on August 28, 2021 at the Wicomico Nursing Home in Salisbury, Maryland. William James Copes, Sr. was united in holy matrimony on November 9, 1954 to the love of his life, Jimmie Mae Marshall Copes. James and Jimmie Mae shared a love together for almost fifty years until death separated them on May 15, 2004. To this union, were birthed nine beautiful children. He received a formal education in the Accomack County public schools and later received his degree as an auto mechanic in Baltimore, Maryland and that led to the beginning of his entrepreneurship in the late 1960’s. He was the owner of the following businesses: a gas and service station, trained and raced two winning horses and a billiards game poolroom. It wasn’t long before our father had discovered that truck driving was really his passion and he couldn’t get away from it. He was in the trucking industry for over twenty-five years and he encouraged and trained one of his God given sons, Jeff, to drive. He also owned two small trucking businesses under the names of S J & J Trucking and Copes’ Transport. James, as he was called by many, was a devoted husband, father, grand and great-grand father, brother, uncle, friend, baseball coach and business man. A family man indeed, who loved his children and especially “his boys” as he would often call them, no matter their age. What an “AMAZING” father he was, always looking out for his family and making things happen for us! We were some blessed children, growing up in Pocomoke City! Also, he loved God and received Christ at the New Macedonia Baptist Church, as his Lord and Savior, in the early years of his life. William James Copes, Sr. leaves to cherish loving memories of his blessed life to: The Sons: Leon Marshall (Susan) of Woodbridge, VA; William J. Copes, Jr. (Cheryl) of Fayetteville, NC; Reginald I. Copes (Tammy) of Dallas, TX; Terry L. Copes, Sr. of Baltimore, MD and Kenny D. Thomas (Larissa) of Chipley, FL. The Daughters: Connie M. Crippen of Salisbury, MD; Apostle Sandra R. Copes of Fruitland, MD; Evangelist Faith L. White (Kevin) of Salisbury, MD who also preceded him in death (June 2021); Pastor Dechryl A. Curtis (Minister Michael) of Bear, DE and Mitzie L. Copes (Fiancé Darnell, Sr.) of Harrington, DE. The Lineage: thirty grandchildren; thirty-five, great-grandchildren. One Sister and One Brother: Delois A. Singleton of Pocomoke City, MD and Hargis T. Fletcher, Jr. of Baltimore, MD; former spouse, Sherrye M. Copes of Wattsville, VA. Devoted God given sons and a daughter: Willie J. Cottingham of Pocomoke City, MD; Jeffrey L. Tatem of Clinton, NC; Pastor Anthony Tucker of Norfolk, VA; Bishop Daryl Butts (Michelle) of Salisbury, MD and Evangelist Terri L. Derrickson of Fruitland, MD and a host of nieces, nephews, two brothers-in-law, other relatives and friends. He also had one brother and three sisters who preceded him in death, Leroy Copes, Catherine E. Fields, Alice L. Huffman and Diane E. Fletcher.

William James Copes Sr.

October 31, 1935 - August 28, 2021