Martha Ann Terry Copeland

Martha Ann Terry Copeland was born on November 27, 1949, to the late Mary Brooks Terry and the late Emmitt “Embo” Terry. She peacefully departed this life on April 3, 2026, at Fayette Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Martha’s life was a living testimony of faith, perseverance, and devotion. She was educated in the Meriwether County School System and graduated from Meriwether County Training School (MCT) in Manchester, Georgia, in 1967. She carried throughout her life a spirit of diligence and humility, working faithfully in many places including Goody’s, Callaway Cotton Mill, Thomaston Textile Mill, Pizza Hut, Lanier Clothing, Photo Circuit, and TDK. In every role, she exemplified quiet excellence and unwavering commitment.

At an early age, Martha joined New Hope Baptist Church in Manchester, and throughout her life she nurtured her faith and remained grounded in her spiritual foundation. Her faith was her anchor, guiding her through life’s joys and trials with steadfast trust in God.

Martha was united in marriage to Eddie “Pete” Copeland, and from this union were born three children: two daughters, Melissa and Falecia, and one son, Michael.

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Emmitt “Embo” and Mary Terry; her brother, SSGT Eddie Terry; and her sisters, Bernette Terry and Annette T. Mahone. Though they have gone before her, we find comfort in knowing there was a joyful reunion beyond the veil.

Left to carry forward her legacy of love are her devoted children: Lisa Griffin (Johnny), Huntsville, AL, Falecia Blain (James), Hampton, Ga, and Michael Copeland, Chesapeake, VA. Her memory will forever live on in her cherished {grandchildren—Tenisha Williams, Jezell Donald (Kyle), Renea Bryant, Mikeria Copeland, Jevontez Griffin, Ataja Copeland, Bianca Glawson, and bonus grandchildren, Autumn Brown and Nictavious Fuller—and her adored great-grandchildren, Makiyah Davis, Peyton Davis, Nyla Person, Jaceion Roberts, Jilani Copeland, and Kennedy Donald.

She also leaves behind her loving sisters, Mary T. McGill (Manchester), Evelyn T. Copeland (Charlie) Riverdale, GA., Juanita T. Carter (Scott), and Fayetteville, GA., Beverly Terry , Manchester, GA.; her brothers, Emmitt Terry Jr. Manchester, GA., and Charles Terry (Marie) Fayetteville, GA.; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends whose lives were touched by her kindness and gentle spirit.

Martha was blessed with special friendships that brought her joy and comfort, especially Betty Holmes and Rosa Stevenson, who stood beside her with love and loyalty.

The family extends sincere gratitude to the caregivers at Fayette Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, with heartfelt appreciation to JoJo, MeMe, and Brianna, whose compassion and care reflected God’s love in her final days.

Though our hearts are heavy, we rejoice in knowing that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Martha has exchanged her earthly burdens for heavenly peace. Her life was a light, her love a blessing, and her memory a treasure that will forever dwell in our hearts.

Martha was blessed with special friendships that brought her joy and comfort, especially Betty Holmes and Rosa Stevenson, who stood beside her with love and loyalty.

The family extends sincere gratitude to the caregivers at Fayette Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, with heartfelt appreciation to JoJo, MeMe, and Brianna, whose compassion and care reflected God’s love in her final days.

Though our hearts are heavy, we rejoice in knowing that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Martha has exchanged her earthly burdens for heavenly peace. Her life was a light, her love a blessing, and her memory a treasure that will forever dwell in our hearts.

Martha’s life was a quiet rhythm of strength and grace—steady, unshaken, and deeply rooted in faith. She did not always speak her testimony aloud, yet it was written clearly in the way she endured, the way she loved, and the way she stood firm through every season of life.

She was, as the scripture declares, “clothed with strength and dignity” (Proverbs 31:25)—a woman whose strength did not boast, but simply was. In her quiet way, she carried burdens with resilience, offered love without hesitation, and moved through life with a wisdom that time itself had shaped.

Like a faithful servant, she held on through every valley and every hill, until she could say, as Paul once wrote, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). And now, her labor is complete.

We find comfort in knowing she now rests in the promise of the Shepherd, where goodness and mercy follow forever (Psalm 23). No more struggle, no more weariness—only peace that does not fade and rest that does not end.

Martha’s voice may be silent to our ears, but her life still speaks. It speaks in love passed down, in lessons lived, and in memories that will not fade. And though we release her into God’s keeping, we do not lose her—we carry her forward in every step we take.