On Sept. 9, 2016, at approximately 8:54 p.m., the death angel arrived at Sentara Obici Hospital and took our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, Deaconess Emma Marie Copeland Whitfield, better known as Marie. She was 80 years old.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert White Whitfield; son, Roderick Costello Whitfield; and brothers, Clifton Copeland and John Axon Copeland.

Marie was the fourth child born in Nansemond County on July 11, 1936, to the late Harry Copeland and Ora Outland Copeland. She attended Savage Crossing School and West Philadelphia High School. She worked at Frank’s Truck Stop for many years and retired from Suffolk City Public Schools after 18 years of service.

Marie as a young lady joined and attended Zion Christian Church. There, she served the Lord in various capacities to include the Senior Choir, Deaconess Board, Women’s Fellowship and Pastor’s Aide. One of Marie’s favorite Bible verses was Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” As she lived her life as a God-fearing woman, she was also known to be very sweet and loving. She could prepare homemade meals with ease as well as our favorites: biscuits, rolls, sweet potato pie, coconut pie, pineapple coconut cake, and homemade ice cream.

Marie leaves to cherish her loving memory three sons, Aubrey Whitfield (Diane), of Portsmouth, Michael Whitfield (Loray) and Phillip Whitfield, of Suffolk; three daughters, Robin Marie Whitfield Murphy (Clarence), of Franklin, Donna Whitfield and Karen Whitfield, of Suffolk. She also leaves four grandchildren, Patrice Whitfield, of Annapolis, Md., Brandon Whitfield, of District Heights, Md., Jordan Murphy, of Petersburg, Tracy Murphy, of Franklin; two sisters, Mary Alice Whitfield and Thelma Copeland, of Suffolk; and a brother, Lorenzo Copeland (Evelyn), of Suffolk. She also leaves to cherish a special friend for more than 65 years, Barbara Hand (George), of Philadelphia, Pa.; special daughter, Wanda Baker-Morris (Johnnie); and a hosts of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3 (NIV)

A celebration of life will be held at noon Thursday, Sept. 15, 2016, at Zion Christian Church, 5200 Quaker Drive, Suffolk. She will be laid to rest in the church cemetery. Condolences to the Copeland-Whitfield family may be extended to www.crockerfuneralhome.com. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.