Karen Louise Copeland, 55, of Beaumont, passed away Monday, February 25, 2013. She was born on April 12, 1957, in Denton, to Kay Cross Copeland and James Eugene Copeland, Jr., who survive her.
She was raised in Dallas where she graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1975 after attending Foster, Caillet and Cary. Karen received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Texas Tech University in 1981 where she was on the Dean’s List and was a member of Phi Mu Sorority. She received her Master of Education degree from Lamar University, Beaumont in 2000. Karen taught in the Beaumont Independent School District for over twenty-eight years, mostly at Martin Elementary, before her retirement earlier this year.
Karen was married to Robert Ewest of Beaumont. Before they divorced in 1999 they had three sons Rob (Wendy) of Pullman, WA, Andrew (Amber) and Travis of Beaumont who survive her. She is also survived by two grandchildren Tyler Ewest (Rob and Wendy) and Bailey Ewest (Andrew and Amber), her brother James Copeland (Lisa) of Georgetown, TX, her niece Allix Copeland of College Station and nephew JT Copeland of Georgetown, her great nephew Eli James Copeland of College Station, her aunt and uncle Patsy and Fred Patterson of Denton, her great aunt and uncle Florence and Eddie Cahan of Decatur, IL, cousins Bill and Riley Patterson, Delie Fisher and Ben Ivey all of Denton, Carol Cahan Pickett of Dallas and Cathy Cahan Alexander of Little Rock. Preceding her in death were her grandparents Riley and Vivian Cross of Denton, James Eugene, Sr. and Eula Copeland of Dallas, aunt and uncle Carol Cross Ivey and Ben Ivey of Denton.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Riley and Vivian Cross of Denton, James Eugene, Sr. and Eula Copeland of Dallas; and aunt and uncle, Carol Cross Ivey and Ben Ivey of Denton.
Karen was baptized at St. David’s Episcopal Church, Denton on June 1957. She was a member of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church and St. Matthias, Dallas, and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Beaumont. At the time of her death she was a member of Dowlen Road Church of Christ, Beaumont.
A gathering of Ms. Copeland’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 27, 2013, at Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. Her funeral service will be 5:00 p.m., Thursday, February 28, 2013, at Broussard’s, with cremation to follow at Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont. Following the private ennichment there will be a memorial service for Ms. Copeland at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, March 2, 2013, at Christ Church Plano, 4550 Legacy Drive in Plano.
A special thanks to Peggy and Darve Ewest for their continuing care.
Karen valiantly fought Melanoma for over five years. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to AIM at Melanoma, c/o Melanoma Research, 3217 Bob O Link Court, Plano, Texas 75093 or Compassion Hospice, 2528 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, Texas 77702.
