Another Voice Has Been Added to Heavens Choir. Barbara Ann Copes (nee Peterson, & formerly Craig) left us to enter the Embrace of her Lord Jesus the Christ. It was appropriate that she gained her freedom from her battle with Alzheimer's on Independence Day. She made her passing surrounded by family and loving caregivers.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, July 9, 2016, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. Officiating will be Reverend Barry Bradley, of First Baptist Church in Orange. Burial will follow at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.
Born in Crosby, Texas, on June 26, 1936, she was the daughter of Edward Harold Peterson and Esther Nelson Peterson. Music was a God-given gift and a legacy of her family. She grew up with her father leading the church choir and her mother playing the piano at First Baptist Church in Crosby, Texas.
She studied music at Sam Houston State College and eventually earned her master's degree in music. She shared her gift of Music in her Crosby High School band and was drum major her senior year graduating at 16.
She taught choir 2 years at Nederland Elementary School, 10 years at West Orange High School, 1 year in Port Arthur, 2 years in Pasadena, and 4 years at little Cypress Junior High School.
She sang at weddings and in her church choir and played the piano for many years at First Baptist Church of Orange. She also taught piano and voice lessons privately, and assisted as an accompaniment pianist for West Orange schools after she retired.
She finished her teaching career in Deweyville making use of her college minor in English. She taught English and reading at the middle school. She later also used these skills as a volunteer with the G.O.A.L.S. program, teaching adults how to read.
She was very active in her faith being an intercessor involved in Prayer Ministry at her church and also with Orange County Intercessors with her longtime friend Ginger Veal, the Breakthrough Prayer Ministry, and Concerned Women for America. She was also involved in the Women's Aglow Ministry, to help herself and others be the women God called them to be.
She loved and served her family. Helping however and whenever she could. Her home was always open to her children and their families as needed during times of transition. She looked forward to the summers where she would gather together all of her grandkids for two weeks of fun-filled times.
Even through the difficult struggle with Alzheimer's; God used her sweet spirit, loving nature, and beautiful smile to touch people's lives. Her light was shining to the end even when she wasn't aware of it. We were truly blessed to have her in our lives and look forward to seeing her again when we make our journey home.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband, Eddie Copes; grandparents, Ludwig and Anna Peterson and John and Lydia Nelson; and her son-in-law, John Maddux.
Barbara is survived by her children, Gary Craig, of Orange, Pamela Maddux, of Conroe, and Steven Craig, of Orange; grandchildren, Bryan and Kelly Maddux, Sarah and Dave Kerr, Jeremy Maddux, Adam Craig, and Amanda Craig; great-grandchildren, Cailin Kerr, Heather Kerr, and Brody Maddux; brother, A. Wayne Peterson and wife D’Alva, of Longview; and her nieces, Cynthia Peterson, Ellen and Alan Beck, and Karen Nott.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association Beaumont at 700 North St., Beaumont, TX 77701.
Condolences
Cynthia Peterson
July 11, 2016
One of my favorite memories (besides the ones Ellen put up here) is Aunt Babs inviting me to go to a choral workshop with her the summer of 1975. I had just finished my freshman year of college as a music major so was really happy to join her at Rice University for the rehearsals and learned a lot from the director who was leading us. The two days culminated in a concert with the Houston Symphony. Babs and I stayed with my grandparents and drove back and forth between Houston and Crosby and got to talk quite a lot and is such a fond memory. Another good memory took place only about 15 years ago during my first year working at East Texas Baptist University. She was there for the annual senior adult conference and surprised me with a visit. We had a nice long conversation and were able to meet up again before she went back to Orange. Those one-on-one times were rare, but always led to good memories and I'm grateful to have had that time with her.
Cynthia Peterson
July 11, 2016
9 files added to the album Barbara Ann
Anonymous
July 8, 2016
Spring Has Sprung Mixed Basket was purchased for the family of Barbara Ann Copes.
Gwendolyn Anderson Sharoff
July 8, 2016
Gwendolyn Anderson Sharoff purchased the Secret Garden Basket for the family of Barbara Ann Copes.
Anonymous
July 8, 2016
Beautiful in Blue was purchased for the family of Barbara Ann Copes.
Claybar Funeral Home
July 8, 2016
156 files added to the album LifeTributes
Anonymous
July 7, 2016
Delicious Delights Basket was purchased for the family of Barbara Ann Copes.
Beverly Mcgalin
July 7, 2016
Beverly Mcgalin lit a candle in memory of Barbara Ann Copes
Sherri Hardesty
July 7, 2016
such a sweetheart of a lady -I so enjoyed the time that I was privileged to care for her and pick her up for church -was a delight and joy -she will be missed dearly, knowing she is in the presence of our sweet dear savior brings such peace and comfort --lots of love and hugs
Sandy Lintelman Anderson
July 7, 2016
14 files added to the album Barbara - my role model
Davidandkey Fairchild
July 6, 2016
Everyday I was blessed to spend with Barbara is a memory I will cherish forever. She has brought so much joy to our family and we will miss her dearly.
Steve Craig
July 6, 2016
Sandy Lintelman Anderson wrote; I am so sorry for your loss. Babs was a very special cousin to me. I loved her and admired her - growing up she was always my role model. She was the sweetest, kindest, loving, and beautiful person. When I was very young (about 6 or 7 years younger than your Mom), she would sit on our back screened-in porch and read comic books and other books to me while we ate peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She had the greatest voices to go with the characters. She was my first piano teacher when I was 5 years old and taught me so much. I spent time with her when she was in college and also occasionally after she and your Dad were married. We visited together several times when you'll came to Austin and she studied there during the summer (we lived in Austin at the time). (Your Grandmother and my Mother were sisters). Please express my love to Gary and to Pam and know that I am praying for each one of you during this time. Oh, what a glorious day it must have been for her to pass through those gates and into the arms of not only all of our loved ones but also into the waiting arms of Jesus. My love and prayers.
Ellen Beck
July 6, 2016
I remember the time us three girls stayed behind to spend time with family one summer. We were ecstatic go doe d time with our Craig cousins, aunt Babs and Uncle Lloyd. Y'all took us to Astroworld. This was our first time. These were the days when women still wore dresses everywhere. I remember Babs walking the park in those high-heeled shoes. During the centrifugal ride (barrel) where we ended up stuck to the wall as it spun, Babs lost her shoe. I can't remember if it survived the spin, but thru it all, she kept smiling! Later at their home we rented bicycles built for two. We always felt cared for and loved. That long weekend is one of my favorite memories of Babs.
Cheryl Culbreath
July 6, 2016
Cheryl Culbreath sent a virtual gift in memory of Barbara Ann Copes