Obituary of Billie Cole Wilson Copeland

Billie Cole Wilson Copeland, 100, died Tuesday, January 5, 2016, at Palmetto Health Tuomey Hospital. Born in Florence, she was the daughter of the late William Alexander Cole and Marie Rice Cole. Mrs. Copeland was twice married, first to the late Harry Cooper Wilson for nearly 50 years, and then to the late James Aubrey Copeland. Mrs. Copeland was a member of Mayesville Presbyterian Church where she served as a Sunday school teacher, a member of the Women of the Church and in various other capacities. She was a member of the DAR and attended Converse College and Winthrop College. Billie will be remembered for her love of God, church, family, and friends. To all of us, she manifested a servant’s heart and unparalleled generosity. She spent her entire life doing and caring for other people and all who knew her reaped the benefits. The family is grateful for the love and attention she received from the Mayesville community all of her life. Additionally, the family wishes to recognize the wonderful care, attention, and love that she received from the staff and residents of the Solomon’s home in Sumter. Surviving are one son, Harry C. “Bunt” Wilson, Jr. and his wife Lucy Sanders Wilson of Sumter; three grandchildren, Lucy Grey Wilson McIver (Benjamin Waverly), Dr. Pressley Rhodes Wilson Warrick (Dr. Michael Todd) and Harry Cooper Wilson, III (Mary McArthur); seven great-grandchildren, Waverly Bynum McIver, Lucy Morgan Cole McIver, Benjamin Waverly McIver, Jr., Michael Cooper Warrick, Wilson Hughes Warrick, Elizabeth Grey Sanders Warrick, and William Cole Warrick. She was preceded in death by two sisters, Lucille Cole Hay and Beverly Cole Griffin. Funeral Services will be held at 3 PM Thursday at the Mayesville Presbyterian Church with Rev. Brian Peake officiating. Burial will be in the Mayesville Black River Cemetery. Pallbearers will be William Rhodes Mayes, Jr., James E. Mayes, Jr., Harold Linwood Turner, James F. Bland, Jr., Dr. E. Macdonald DuBose, David S. Watson, Rev. Dr. William H. “Rusty” Wilson, III, and Robert Muldrow. The family will receive friends following the graveside service at the Mayesville Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall and other times at the home of Lucy and Bunt Wilson, 223 Haynsworth Street. Memorials may be made to the Mayesville Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 141, Mayesville, SC 29104, to Solomon’s Home, 620 N. Guignard Drive, Sumter, SC 29150 or to a charity of one ‘s choice. On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home & Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, is in charge of the arrangements (803) 775-9386.