THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, June 19, 1996 TAG: 9606190333
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: 36 lines
Mattie Lee Copeland Jones Eley, ``Big Mama'', 70, entered into eternal rest on Sunday June 16, 1996, at her home.
She was born Dec. 3, 1925, to the late Johnnie C. and Pattie King Copeland of Suffolk. She was the widow of the late William Henry Jones Sr. She retired from Planters Peanuts after 43 years of service. She was an active member of Healing Chapel Baptist Church where she was ``Mother of the Church,'' president of the senior choir, a deaconess and member of the Pastor's Aide Club.
Survivors include her husband, the Rev. Jessie Eley; three daughters, Laura Green, Addie Goodman, both of Suffolk, and Deborah London of Hampton; two sons, William Jones Jr. of Suffolk and Ronnie Jones of Williamsburg; two sons-in-law, James Green Sr. of Suffolk and Keith London of Hampton; two daughters-in-law, Georgia Jones of Suffolk and Sandra Jones of Williamsburg; a stepdaughter, Dorothy Croaker of Suffolk; 11 grandchildren, Arlene Duke, Charlene Holloway, William ``Tim'' Jones III, Bobby Goodman Jr., Mattie Goodman, James Green Jr., Brad Green, Chris Jones, Rhonda Jones, Kimberly London and Kelley London; three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Mae Alice Bland, Pattie Garris and Elaine Lee; five brothers, Johnnie Copeland Jr., Walter Copeland, Leon Copeland, Richard Copeland, Alvin Copeland, all of Suffolk; two aunts, Virtley Whidbee of Suffolk and Ballie King of Nyack, N.Y.; and a host of nieces, nephews, in-laws, cousins and friends.
The funeral will be conducted Thursday at 1 p.m. by the Rev. Charles E. Williams in Healing Chapel Baptist Church, Suffolk. Burial will be in Carver Memorial Park. The body will lie in state from 11:30 a.m. Thursday until the service. The Jones family will receive visitors from 7 to 8 p.m. today at Crocker Funeral Home Chapel. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY by CNB