Obituary of Martha Copal

Martha Francis Sims Copal, united with her beloved husband, John DeArcy Copal, and entered into the gates of everlasting peace on February 28, 2013.She was predeceased by her beloved mother and father, Gracie and Eustace Sims, brothers Martin and Morris Sims, and her eternal young grandchildren, Crystal Copal, Patty Graham, and "Little" John Copal.She was blessed to be born on December 2, 1929 on the same property on which she went into eternal life, always fondly remembering the changes to Pisgah Road over the generations.She is survived by two children, Boyd (Shirley) Copal of Vinton, and Diane Copal-Hancock (Peter) of Goode, her special sister and brother-in-law Elizabeth (Walter) Freeman and special niece, Linda Freeman, of Madison Heights, brother-in-laws Doug Lindsay (Minnie Lee) of South Boston, and Roger Copal of Crewe, sister-in-laws Florence Copal of Saxe, Peggy Copal of Randolph, Mary Sims of Brookneal, and Ann Woody of South Boston, grandchildren Eleanor Hancock of Greenville, Mississippi and Priscilla Martin of Vinton, great-grandchildren Sarah Graham Smith and Johnny Martin of Vinton. Also surviving are her furry grandchildren Joshua, Jeremiah, and Dan, and a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.Martha, in earlier years, was an LPN at the Old Grace Memorial Hospital and often commented on what the operating room was like in earlier times. She was also a quality inspector for a textile mill in Brookneal. After marriage, she became a homemaker and served her community church (Bethlehem United Methodist Church) in many capacities. She was honored to be a charter member of the United Methodist Women. In more recent years, due to ailing health, she attended Timberlake United Methodist Church with her family. Her greatest joys came from serving her God by ministering to the needs of her grateful family and friends for many years.The family is grateful to the various health care providers, Gentiva, Amedisys, Bedford Medical, Gastroenterology Associates, Lynchburg Hematology Oncology and Centra Hospice. Family visitation will be Sunday, March 3, from 3:00-5:00 pm at Updike Funeral Home in Bedford with funeral service at Pisgah Presbyterian Church in Goode at 11:00 am on March 4 followed by interment at the church cemetery. Donations may be made to the Goode Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 178, Goode,VA 24556. Arrangements by Updike Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Bedford.