Maria Begoña Copeland's Obituary
Maria Begoña passed peacefully from this life at the age of 91 in the early hours of February 18, after a gradual decline in health. She was surrounded by her loving family and wonderful caregivers Argelia, Ciyetzi, and Cathy during the last days of her life. Maria Begoña was born in Bilbao, Spain on August 10, 1930. As an adult, she moved to London, England to start her career in the health care industry. While in London, she met the love of her life Sergeant Charles Leroy Copeland Jr. on a blind date that was set up through a mutual friend. Two years later, Charles and Maria Begoña married in England in 1957 because interracial marriages were illegal in the US. After their marriage, Charles sent Begoña to the US to live with his mother and stepfather. Over the next 14 years, they welcomed three beautiful daughters and a long-awaited baby boy. Maria Begoña became a citizen of the USA in 1965, after her sister in law’s encouragement to attend English classes to reach her goal. She enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, playing Spades, watching American football, and she mastered the art of having fun while losing money at Bingo. Everyone that met her knew she loved to sing, dance, and spend time with her family. For the past 40 years, Begoña looked forward to spending time with her Copeland family on the beach at our annual family reunion and when she could travel she spent time with her family in Spain and England. She was a devout Catholic who was a member of several Catholic Churches beginning with St Thomas Aquinas in Cleveland, Ohio to her most recent, St. Therese in Mooresville, NC.
She was preceded in death by her parents Felisa’ and Teodoro of Bilbao, Spain, her husband Charles Leroy Copeland Jr of Mooresville NC, brother Juan José Figuero (Vitori) of Bilbao Spain, sister Felisa Shelsher (John) of Ware Hertz England; sisters-in-laws Janie Rollins, Betty White, Gerry Davis, , Dorothy Lewis, brother in law Sylvester Copeland; nieces Deborah White, Ruthann Copeland, Leslie Phillips, and nephews Paul Lewis and Greg Copeland .
Maria Begoña Copeland is survived by her children Maria Copeland Dozier (Wayne) of Charlotte, NC, Liz Copeland Taylor-Hunter of Phoenix, Arizona, Sara Copeland-White (Reginald deceased; Jose Rodriguez) of Mooresville, NC, Martin Copeland of Albuquerque, New Mexico, bonus son LemaR Galloway of Valdese, NC; 9 grandchildren Steven Kimbrough, Jamaal Galloway, Jeremy White (Christina), Shari Smith (Willie), Jecolia Gartner (Jon), Wesley Dozier (Chelsea), Kiera Copeland, Morgan Dozier, and Loreal Taylor; 6 great grandsons; Jaylen, Jamari, Logan, Everett, Dax, and Brooks; and is expecting her 1st great granddaughter Camila Stark ,who she met via her ultrasound; brother Luis Barbero (Begoña), brother-in-law Ted Aldrich (Willie deceased); nieces and nephews Jean Helms (Tommy deceased), Janyce Rollins, Sharon Aldrich, Carolyn Graves, Bonnie Rollins, Barbara Stackhouse (Lawrence), Myers Rollins, Javier Figuero (Aitxiber), Marianne Lindsell( Robert), William Aldrich (Florence), Edward Shelsher (Jayne), Richard Aldrich(Gwen deceased), Cynthia Lewis, Nerea Figuero (David), Amaia Barbero, Izaskun Barbero, Marlon Lewis, Joslyn Lewis-Vann, Karen Lewis-Gregory (Kenny), Pam Lewis, Lori Lewis-Ward (James), Jose’ Figuero (Lidia), Lisa Davis, Carla Davis, Charles Davis (Andrea), and a host of great-nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 27, 11:00 AM at James Funeral Home in Huntersville, NC. The family will receive friends during a reception immediately following the service. Internment will follow at Glenwood Memorial Park at 273 Glenwood Drive, Mooresville, NC 28115.
At the families request, please wear masks, thank you!
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolinas through this link: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=E349513&id=1
Online condolences may be made at www.jamesfuneralhomelkn.com
James Funeral Home, of Huntersville, is serving the family an obituary lovingly written by the family.
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