Obituary for Doris Mae Copenhaver (Peterson)
It is with great sadness that Doris Mae Copenhaver’s family let her
extended family and friends know that she passed away on Tuesday, May 30,
2023, after a sudden illness.
Doris was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on October 31, 1934, to Beatrice
Eveline Thaxton and Benjamin Marshall Peterson. She lived her childhood in
Elkview, WV and graduated from Elkview High School in 1952. In 1953 she
married H. Kemp Copenhaver of Big Chimney, WV. where they lived with their
four daughters, Cynthia Lynn (Copen-haver) Sloan, Lucy Eveline (Copenhaver)
Talley, Carrie Ella (Copenhaver) Ogilvie and Katrina Bea (Copenhaver) Parsons.
In 1973 Doris earned a degree in Nursing from Morris Harvey College (later
named the University of Charleston) in Charleston, WV. She graduated at the
top of her class and dedicated her life to serving others. Doris was a registered nurse for 45 years with a specialty in
emergency, trauma, intensive and cardiac care. She officially retired in 2018 and practiced in WV, FL and NC. In 1988,
Doris was presented with the national Phoenix Award. This bi-annual award is given to emergency responders who
resuscitate a person who is considered clinically dead and return the person to a productive life.
Doris was a member of and actively involved at Woodlawn Baptist Church (Lowell, NC). She especially enjoyed “Young
at Heart” a bi-monthly gathering of 50+ year old women and men who met to deepen their relationship with God
through bible study and community involvement.
Doris was a member of the Grand Chapter of West Virginia Order of Eastern Star Tiskelwah Chapter No. 45 for 62
years.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, CMSgt USAF (retired) H. Kemp Copenhaver, her parents
Beatrice and Benjamin Peterson, her sister Patricia Tyree, and a brother Richard “Dick” Peterson. Doris was also
preceded in death by a loving companion of 25 years, David Albon. She is survived by a brother Jess Peterson (Cibolo,
Texas), Daughters: Cynthia Copenhaver Sloan (Dennis Nicholas) Frame, WV; Lucy Copenhaver Talley (Mike Stricklin)
Lowell, NC; Carrie Copenhaver Ogilvie (Bill) Lakeland, FL; Katrina Parsons, Marianna, FL. 11 grandchildren: Lt Col USAF
Robert Sloan (Anika) Amma, WV; Carrie Sloan Meyer (Tim) Charleston, WV; Trina Talley Lakeland, FL; Matthew Clay
(Jennifer) Lakeland, FL; Ashley Clay (Ron Mosley) Lutz, FL; Monica Clay (Will Guenther) Palm Harbor, FL; Andrew Stricklin
Gastonia, NC; Alex Stricklin Memphis, TN; Cole McCune Spencer, WV; Nicole Chapman, Charleston, SC; Dennis Nicholas II
(Nathaly) Atlanta, GA; and Lisa Perry (David) Frame, WV. 16 great grandchildren: Ashley Sharp, Zoe Williams, Tyler Perry,
Addisyn Carter, Kahlan Eggert, Hayden Mosley, Autumn Stricklin, Kemp Meyer, Lorelei Sloan, Adelyn Horlick, Jocelyn
Clay, Paislee Clay, Cambrie Clay, Dennis Nicholas III, Mateo Nicholas and Maverick Mosley. This obituary would not be
complete without mentioning her constant canine companion, Rufus.
Doris spent her free time with her best friend, Doris Ann Lowery, going to church, to the movies, shopping, trying out
new restaurants and sharing life stories.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Woodlawn Baptist Church, 1101
N Main St, Lowell, NC 28098. You may stream Doris’ celebration here
https://www.youtube.com/@woodlawnbaptistchurch3674/streams.
The family will receive friends following the service. A memorial service in Doris’ honor will be held in WV at a later
date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Woodlawn Baptist Church General Fund, Woodlawn Baptist Church
Missions, 1101 N Main St, Lowell, NC 28098, Wounded Warriors https://support.wound-edwarriorproject.org/ or Tunnel
To Towers https://t2t.org/
extended family and friends know that she passed away on Tuesday, May 30,
2023, after a sudden illness.
Doris was born in Ft. Wayne, Indiana on October 31, 1934, to Beatrice
Eveline Thaxton and Benjamin Marshall Peterson. She lived her childhood in
Elkview, WV and graduated from Elkview High School in 1952. In 1953 she
married H. Kemp Copenhaver of Big Chimney, WV. where they lived with their
four daughters, Cynthia Lynn (Copen-haver) Sloan, Lucy Eveline (Copenhaver)
Talley, Carrie Ella (Copenhaver) Ogilvie and Katrina Bea (Copenhaver) Parsons.
In 1973 Doris earned a degree in Nursing from Morris Harvey College (later
named the University of Charleston) in Charleston, WV. She graduated at the
top of her class and dedicated her life to serving others. Doris was a registered nurse for 45 years with a specialty in
emergency, trauma, intensive and cardiac care. She officially retired in 2018 and practiced in WV, FL and NC. In 1988,
Doris was presented with the national Phoenix Award. This bi-annual award is given to emergency responders who
resuscitate a person who is considered clinically dead and return the person to a productive life.
Doris was a member of and actively involved at Woodlawn Baptist Church (Lowell, NC). She especially enjoyed “Young
at Heart” a bi-monthly gathering of 50+ year old women and men who met to deepen their relationship with God
through bible study and community involvement.
Doris was a member of the Grand Chapter of West Virginia Order of Eastern Star Tiskelwah Chapter No. 45 for 62
years.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, CMSgt USAF (retired) H. Kemp Copenhaver, her parents
Beatrice and Benjamin Peterson, her sister Patricia Tyree, and a brother Richard “Dick” Peterson. Doris was also
preceded in death by a loving companion of 25 years, David Albon. She is survived by a brother Jess Peterson (Cibolo,
Texas), Daughters: Cynthia Copenhaver Sloan (Dennis Nicholas) Frame, WV; Lucy Copenhaver Talley (Mike Stricklin)
Lowell, NC; Carrie Copenhaver Ogilvie (Bill) Lakeland, FL; Katrina Parsons, Marianna, FL. 11 grandchildren: Lt Col USAF
Robert Sloan (Anika) Amma, WV; Carrie Sloan Meyer (Tim) Charleston, WV; Trina Talley Lakeland, FL; Matthew Clay
(Jennifer) Lakeland, FL; Ashley Clay (Ron Mosley) Lutz, FL; Monica Clay (Will Guenther) Palm Harbor, FL; Andrew Stricklin
Gastonia, NC; Alex Stricklin Memphis, TN; Cole McCune Spencer, WV; Nicole Chapman, Charleston, SC; Dennis Nicholas II
(Nathaly) Atlanta, GA; and Lisa Perry (David) Frame, WV. 16 great grandchildren: Ashley Sharp, Zoe Williams, Tyler Perry,
Addisyn Carter, Kahlan Eggert, Hayden Mosley, Autumn Stricklin, Kemp Meyer, Lorelei Sloan, Adelyn Horlick, Jocelyn
Clay, Paislee Clay, Cambrie Clay, Dennis Nicholas III, Mateo Nicholas and Maverick Mosley. This obituary would not be
complete without mentioning her constant canine companion, Rufus.
Doris spent her free time with her best friend, Doris Ann Lowery, going to church, to the movies, shopping, trying out
new restaurants and sharing life stories.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023, at Woodlawn Baptist Church, 1101
N Main St, Lowell, NC 28098. You may stream Doris’ celebration here
https://www.youtube.com/@woodlawnbaptistchurch3674/streams.
The family will receive friends following the service. A memorial service in Doris’ honor will be held in WV at a later
date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Woodlawn Baptist Church General Fund, Woodlawn Baptist Church
Missions, 1101 N Main St, Lowell, NC 28098, Wounded Warriors https://support.wound-edwarriorproject.org/ or Tunnel
To Towers https://t2t.org/