Mary Ellen Copeland passed away on Dec. 21, 2018. She was born in Nansemond County on Sept. 10, 1932, to the late Jack and Irene Copeland.

She is survived by her brother, Jimmie Copeland, and his wife, Georgie Lee; nieces, Nancy C. D’Amico, Susan C. Vick (Mark), M.L.C. Cruey (Kelly).

She attended Holland High School, where she graduated in 1950. She went on to attend Madison College from 1950 until 1952 and finished at the Medical College of Virginia from 1952 until 1954. During that time, she achieved a medical technician degree. Mary Ellen went on to work for Duke University Hospital from 1954 until 1959. Norfolk General Hospital (now Sentara) was her next place of employment from 1959 until 1996, from which she retired. She was a member of Holy Neck Christian Church.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 6, 2019, at R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home and Crematory, 509 W. Washington St., Suffolk, with Pastor Dave Meadors officiating. A visitation will be held after the service. Burial will be private at the Copeland Family Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at 6350 Center Drive #102, Norfolk, VA 23502 or to the American Cancer Society, 4416 Expressway Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23452. Condolences may be offered at RWBakerFH.com.