Copeland Funeral Home

Tidwell Copeland, 79, left us on Thursday, April 12, 2018, to join the Lord and her husband, James, in heaven.Born on Aug. 29, 1938, in Lee County, she was a daughter of the late Allen Tidwell and Hattie Tidwell Coulter. She was a loving wife, a wonderful cook and homemaker, a wise mentor and a friend to everyone who knew her. She was a devoted member of Ashwood Nazarene Church. She was head over heels in love with her husband, James, here on earth for 55 years before being widowed in 2011. She also suffered the tragic loss of her treasured son, Marion, when he was only 14.Survivors include a daughter, Martha Copeland Bell (Billy) of Sumter; two granddaughters, Samantha Betush of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, and Nikki Betush (Andy) of Myrtle Beach; two bonus granddaughters, Amanda Bell and Ashley Cook (Brian), both of Sumter; six great-grandchildren, Alex, Stella, Vaughn, Robert, Julianne and Noah; a sister, Ethel "Kitty" Burgett of Sumter; sisters-in-law who were like her sisters, Rebecca McDuffie, Janie Copeland and Joyce Copeland; and a brother-in-law, Gerald Copeland.In addition to her parents, husband and son, she was preceded in death by siblings, Roland Tidwell, Gertrude Tidwell, Geneva Hagood, J.C. Tidwell, Andrew Tidwell, Laverne Tidwell, the Rev. Leo Tidwell, Alice Grace Hinson, Mary Kinsey and Ray Tidwell.Funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Brandon Barkley and Patrick Belken officiating. Burial will be at Sumter Cemetery.The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and other times at the home.Memorials may be made to Ashwood Baptist Church, 2145 Green Lane, Bishopville, SC 29010.Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements. (Sumter Item)