Emma Sue Miller Copeland

Emma Sue Miller Copeland, 94, of Trinity Church Rd. in Valdese, formerly of Drexel, died Saturday, October 23, 2010 at Autumn Care following a lengthy illness. Born, May 1, 1916 in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late William Cameron Miller and Etta Elenor Benfield Miller. Emma was a published poet and also wrote music. She loved vegetable and flower gardening, and enjoyed sharing the fruits of her garden with her neighbors. Sue was known as the "queen of yard sales" in Burke County. She was a very devoted and loving matriarch of the family.She is survived by children, Frances C. Beck of Valdese, Nina Hartman and husband, Carroll, and Lester Copeland and wife, Sarah, all of Morganton; a brother, Robert E. Miller and wife, Charlie, of Morganton; fourteen grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; her little dog, Trixie; and her dear life-long friend, Nell Saunders.

In addition to her parents, Sue was preceded in death by her husband, Alexander Christenberry Copeland; children, Juanita Chandler and Alexander Ken Copeland; brothers, Albert, Andrew, Mike, Ray, Carey, and Ralph Miller; and sisters, Gladys Whisenant, Gwendolyn Pitts, and Pauline Whisenant.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 26, 2010 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. George Williams and Rev. Earl Cross officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Tuesday one hour before the funeral service. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.