Judy Copeland
Judy Minge Copeland, 65, of Ooltewah died unexpectedly Thursday, April 25, 2013.
The community lost an outstanding arts educator and artist. She was born in Knoxville on March 29, 1948, to Oliver B. and Anna Dickens Minge. After graduating from Karns High School, she attended the University of Tennessee, where she received her undergraduate and graduate degrees. She began her teaching career at Clinton Junior High School before moving to Chattanooga, where she taught at Brainerd High School and later, Chattanooga School for the Arts and Sciences.
A gifted artist and craftswoman, Judy was able to provide her students with both the skills and a passion for the arts. One of the many student teachers who worked under her tutelage aptly describes her: “She was very passionate about teaching art as well as being an accomplished artist in her own right. I never saw her have a bad day teaching; she had an answer or solution for everything and was a tireless worker with students of all abilities.” In 1974, she was named Tennessee’s Outstanding Educator of the Year.
Active in the arts community, for the past five years Judy has co-chaired the Decorations Committee for the annual Chattanooga Area Heart Association gala. This year she co-chaired the Decorations Committee for the March of Dimes gala. She was an active member of the Chattanooga Area Art Instructors group. She also had been active in the Jaycettes, serving as president of the local organization and as State Director. Judy was a member of Tyner United Methodist Church.
She was preceded in death by her father.
She is survived by her husband, Ron Copeland; son, Jeff Copeland; mother, Anna Minge, Knoxville; sister, Becky (Robert) Kennard, Knoxville; and sister-in-law, Pam (Rusty) Sams, Spartanburg, S.C.;aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1, in the funeral home chapel with Reverend David Hall officiating. Interment will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Steve Ball, Jim Boles, Bill Martin, Wilhelmina Moore, Michael (Big Mike) Turner, and Gary Wilkes.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Foundation of Greater Chattanooga, 1270 Market Street, 37402, for the Judy Copeland Memorial Scholarship Fund.
Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family.
The Family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tn. 37421.