Jean Copeland

Jean Parrish Copeland, 72, of Chesterfield, Virginia, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. She was born in Petersburg, Virginia, daughter of the late Earl B. and Louise C. Parrish. A former elementary school teacher, Supervisor of Elementary Education and Reading, an adjunct professor at the College of William and Mary, the University of Virginia, and Virginia Commonwealth University, and Chairperson of the Chesterfield County (Virginia) School Board, Ms. Copeland devoted her life to developing young minds and educating those entrusted with that calling. The vision, wisdom, and experience that Ms. Copeland brought to her role as school board chairwoman was instrumental in leading a public school system with a national reputation for excellence, when Chesterfield was one of the five fastest growing counties in the United States. Those same qualities were the driving force, in the early 1980s, behind The Copeland Schools, pre-school environments with an emphasis on child development. Ms. Copeland brought a lifetime of knowledge, hands-on experience, and leadership to Exceed Preschool Curriculums, which she co-authored with longtime colleague, Jean B. McNeil. Ms. Copeland is survived by five children, Dr. Kenneth E. Copeland, Jr. and wife, Beth of Elkton, VA, Timothy S. Copeland of Chesterfield, VA, Robert M. Copeland of New York, NY, Randall P. Copeland and wife, Mary of Midlothian, Virginia, Steven C. Copeland and wife, Angel of Midlothian, VA,; 16 grandchildren, Kenneth, Hunter, Cameron, Madison, Matthew, Emmie, Ellie, Daelan, Ashlee, Brooke, Camden, Mitchell, Katie, Lindsey, Riley and Carter; sisters, Shirley P. Emerson and husband, Franklin of Chester and Fay P. Wade of Chesterfield; dear friend Jean B. McNeil of Midlothian; and former husband Kenneth E. Copeland, Sr. The family will receive friends at the Chesterfield chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home on Thursday, May 14, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m. A celebration of her life will take place on Friday, May 15, 2009 at 11 a.m. in the funeral home chapel. The interment of her cremains will follow in the Sunset Memorial Park, Chester. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions are made to the HERA Foundation, Box 664, Carbondale, CO 81623. Condolences to the family may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .