Everything Nac

     Mary Virginia Stone Copeland, known as “Virginia,” 88, of Nacogdoches, Texas, passed away on March 17, 2011, surrounded by her children. The mother of four children, grandmother to 9, great-grandmother to 15, devoted wife for 59 years to the late Calvin Wesley “C.W.” Copeland, and a true friend to many, Virginia was an independent, determined, and stubborn third generation native of Nacogdoches. Virginia was born in Nacogdoches on July 2, 1922, one of five children of G. H. “Hilliard” and Maggie Stone.

     After a high school courtship, Virginia and C. W. eloped to Marshall, Texas, and were married in the evening at the Harrison County Courthouse by a Justice of the Peace who was participating in a Lions Club meeting. The wedding was witnessed by the county sheriff and by about 20 Lions Club members. C. W. and Virginia managed to keep their marriage a secret for 2 weeks before revealing it to Virginia’s disapproving parents. Their early married life was interrupted by World War II. Virginia followed C. W. to New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania where he trained before being shipped out to Europe for 2 years. Upon his return, they lived in Tyler, Texas for a few years and then settled in Texarkana, Texas, where C. W. was employed by the Cotton Belt Railroad and where Virginia owned and operated a large day care center.

     C. W. and Virginia retired to Nacogdoches in 1990 and built a house next door to her sister, Lucille Frederick. Virginia lived in the house until 2010 when she moved to The Arbor Assisted Living Facility where she made her home until her death. Her house is still filled with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and her energy.

     Virginia is predeceased by her husband, Calvin Wesley “C. W.” Copeland, her parents, Hilliard Stone and Maggie Lee Stone, her sister, Lucille Stone Frederick, and her three brothers, Lewis Stone, George Stone and Keith Stone.

     Virginia is survived by her four children and their spouses: Ronald Copeland (Nevada), Patricia Rucker (Richard), Gelea Clem (Larry), and Rebecca Porterfield (Darrell) , by 9 grandchildren: Shannon Copeland Rizzo, Nicole Copeland Emery, Jason Rucker, Joshua Rucker, Chad Porterfield, Shelley Porterfield Gossett, Justin Clem, Brandon Clem, and Taylor Clem, and 15 great grandchildren Heather Rizzo, Isabella Rizzo, Luke Rizzo, Jake Rizzo, Samantha Emery, Michael Emery, David Emery, Addie Rucker, Will Rucker, Chloe Rucker, Lili Rucker, Harlan Rucker, Jacob Porterfield, Brooke Porterfield, and Dylan Tunmire, and cat Missy.

     Services will be held at 3:00 P. M. Saturday, March 19, at Laird Funeral Home and interment will be at Sunset Memorial Park afterward. The family appreciates deeply the love and care provided by the staff of the Arbor Assisted Living Facility, LifeCare Hospice, and Dr. Richard Baker.

     We remember Virginia’s laugh and her love of children. She did not know a stranger and had numerous life-long friends in town.

     Donations in Virginia’s memory may be made to Nacogdoches Humane Society at 3211 SW Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961, or just by hugging a child in her memory.

     To offer condolence or to sign an online register book please log onto www.lairdfh.net.

     Funeral service for Mrs. Elsie Raye King Tillis, 84, of Nacogdoches will be held on Monday, March 21, 2011, at 10:00 am at Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church with Rev. Dave Brasher officiating. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park.

     Mrs. Tillis was born on March 5, 1927, in Woden, Texas to the late William Cleo and Lena Strahan King. She passed away peacefully on Friday, March 18, 2011, in Nacogoches, Texas.

     Elsie was raised in Woden, Texas. She was baptised at an early age at Simpson Campground Methodist Church. She attended Woden ISD until she and her parents moved to Nacogdoches during WWII. She graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1945. Elsie married Floyd Tillis, Sr. in 1947 and he preceded her in death. She started work for the City of Nacogdoches in 1949 and was appointed as City Tax Assessor Collector in 1973 and retired in 1983.

     Elsie was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a dedicated member of Perritte Memorial Methodist Church. While a member there she was involved in the Quilting Circle, Pie Crust Ladies, Cokesbury Sunday School Class and the Bazaar Workshops. She was a member of the Altrusa Club, Daughters of the Republic of Texas and was on the board of Jacobs Chapel Cemetery Association.

     She is survived by one son, Floyd Tillis, Jr. and wife, Billie of Nacogdoches; one sister, Eunice Chancellor of Tyler; two grandchildren, Sandy Tillis of Tyler and Cody Tillis and wife, Amanda of Melrose; two great-grandchildren, Taylor and Jacey Tillis of Melrose.

     In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Tillis, Sr; a brother, Cullis L. King and a sister, Lucille “Sue” Parmer.

     Pallbearers will be Clay Parmer, Cole Parmer, Phillip McDaniel, Tim Dyess, Scott Weems, and C.L. King.

     Visitation with the family will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2011, from 5-7 pm at Laird Funeral Home.

     In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to Perritte Memorial United Methodist Church, 1025 Durst St., Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.

     To offer condolence or to sign an online register book please log onto www.lairdfh.net.

     Funeral service for Mrs. Vera Bell Hickman Summers, 86, of Nacogdoches, Texas will be held on Sunday, March 20, 2011, at 2:00 pm at Laird Funeral Home with Bro. Charles A. Hancock officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Cemetery.

     Mrs. Summers was born on December 3, 1924, in Petersburg, Texas to the late Lonnie Artemouse Hickman and Carrie Lee McWhirter Hickman. She passed away peacefully on Friday, March 18, 2011, in Nacogdoches.

     She grew up in Roaring Springs, Texas having attended school there as well. She graduated from Massey Business College in Nacogdoches. Vera was a wonderful wife and mother. She loved her grandchildren tremendously, making them doll clothes, making cookies or just playing with them each day. She loved to quilt, sewing, vegetable gardening and canning and playing 42. Vera was a wonderful Christian woman who loved Christmas, cooking for her family and providing the only way a loving mother can, with all her heart.

     Vera is survived by three sons, William Summers and wife, Sue, Richard Summers, and Henry Summers and wife, Ann, all of Nacogdoches; six grandchildren, Cheryl Fenlason, Craig Summers, Tracey Brewer, Kristi Courvelle, Carrie Hobbs and Jon Summers; twelve great-grandchildren and one great-great granddaughter; Vera is also survived by two sisters, Elizabeth Hutchins and Lillie Mae Holt.

     In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Ellis Summers; son, Author Ray Summers; and two brothers, Raymond and L.W. Hickman.

     Pallbearers will be Craig Summers, Jon Summers, Ted Brewer, Todd Parrish, Richard Courvelle and Lono Russell.

     Visitation with the family will be held on Saturday, March 19, 2011, from 6-8 pm at Laird Funeral Home.

     In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to New Faith Baptist Church, 4105 East Main St., Nacogdoches, Texas 75961.