Mary Etta Copeland, 86 passed away June 1, 2026, in Omaha, Nebraska.

Mary was born in Lorman, Mississippi, to Isaac and Estella Patterson. She was the youngest of their four children and was affectionately known as “Lil Sister.” In 1962, she moved to Omaha, Nebraska.

Mary was a devoted mother to her five daughters: Cynithia, Belinda, Elvira, Candace, and Ronita. She persevered through the challenges of raising a daughter with cerebral palsy and another with severe asthma. She taught her daughters to trust God, read the Bible, and pray. She also taught them the value of saving money early in life. Her words of wisdom guided her daughters throughout their lives.

Mary accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at an early age. She was a faithful member of Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church, where she served under the leadership of Pastors John H. Whittington and Terry Arvie. She served as a deaconess, sang soprano in the Mass Choir and Women’s Choir, and participated in Sunday School and Bible Study.

Mary started working at the age of five. She would often talk about coming home from school at the age of five and grabbing cotton sack to go out in the field to help family pick cotton. She worked in different occupations before joining the Kellogg Company as a production operator on August 23, 1971. She retired from Kellogg Company March 3, 2000.

Mary enjoyed returning to Mississippi in the summer with her children to visit family and friends. She also enjoyed planting flowers in her front yard, growing vegetables in her backyard, cooking, hosting family cookouts and neighborhood parties, dancing, fishing, and playing her guitar. After retiring, she enjoyed attending monthly retirees’ luncheons and senior community activities, reading the Bible and the newspaper, working word search puzzles, playing checkers, and watching game shows. Two of her familiar sayings were, “Mark my word” and “How ’bout that.”

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Isaac, and Estella Patterson; her brothers, Isaac Patterson, and George Patterson; her daughter, Elvira Howard; and her grandchildren, LaTasha Jenkins and Dana Jenkins. She leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Cynithia Jenkins, Belinda Ross, and Candace Howard, all of Omaha, Nebraska, and Ronita Bowser of Houston, Texas; her sister, Cora Etta Jones of Vicksburg, Mississippi; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Mary will be remembered for her warmth, unwavering love for her daughters, grandchildren, and extended family, bright smile and laughter, and Sunday and holiday dinners she lovingly prepared. She was the heart and cornerstone of her family. She will be deeply missed.

Services will be held on Thursday (6/11/2026) at Power House Church. Visitation from 10 - 11 am with Memorial Service at 11 am.