IN LOVING MEMORY - MOM Foundation Inc

BERTHA LEE BLAKELY

(May 12, 1932 – February 4, 2024)

Bertha Lee Blakely was the dear Aunt and Bonus Mother to our MOM Foundation members – Gloria and Howanda Walker. She is an Honorary Mother of the MOM Foundation. Mother Blakely passed away at the age of 91 on February 4, 2024 after a lengthy illness. She lived in Welaka, Florida, a small town in North central Florida.

Mother Blakely had a love for gardening and fishing. She had a true “green thumb.” She could make anything grow. She planted all kinds of fruit trees – oranges, satsumas, grapefruit, plums, persimmons, and guava. Her vegetable gardens consisted of collard greens, watermelon, peas, cabbage, squash, and tomatoes. In addition to fruit and vegetables, Mother Blakely had a passion for growing flowers. Her specialty seemed to be the Christmas cactus. She had a variety of at least six different colors.

Fishing!! Mother Blakely loved to fish. She fished many of the canals when she lived in Fort Lauderdale. After she retired and relocated to Welaka, it was “Hello, St. Johns River!” She had a special spot on the Welaka Pier that she called her personal “spot.” A sign at her home reads: “I’d rather be lost at the River than found at home.”

May you sleep in Heavenly Peace, Mother Blakely.

TRIBUTE

LOVING MEMORY

Mother Ethel Mae Collier Copeland

(July 6, 1934 – February 13, 2024)

Mother Ethel Mae Collier Copeland was born July 6, 1934 in Atlanta (Fulton County), Georgia as a true Grady-Baby, to the late Charlie Collier Sr., and the late Elsie Avery Collier Boyd. She grew up in East Point, Georgia and attended Fulton High School. Mother Copeland married the love of her life, Walter C. Copeland and they were united for 30 years until his passing in 1985. To this union, they had 10 children.

After putting her last child in school in the Summer Hill Community – Grant Park, Atlanta, she was summoned by the Principal, Mr. S. Sheffield to come and work with the faculty, and be a part of Slaton Elementary (now known as Charter School) because she had so many kids. She furthered her education to become a teacher by attending Georgia State University with a BA Degree in Elementary Education. After her Degree, she was able to work at other schools where she taught first grade at Lakewood Elementary and Guice Elementary where she retired after 30 years. Mother Copeland enjoyed teaching the little ones. She said “they are just little people who have been here before and just needed some guidance.”

At an early age, Mother Copeland gave her life to Christ in Hapeville, GA. After moving to West Avenue (Atlanta) another side of town, she decided to get baptized at Southside Springfield Baptist Church on Garibaldi St. under Pastor D. A. Dixon. Mother Copeland was a faithful member. This is where all 10 of her children were baptized and raised in the church. Later, Mother Copeland moved her membership on September 28, 1986 under the leadership of Rev. Timothy McDonald, III at First Iconium Baptist Church under Christian Experience on Abernathy Street (now 542 Moreland Avenue, SE, Atlanta, Georgia). She decided to join after losing her husband in January, 1985. She saw that First Iconium had a big heart, and plenty of love to share; especially, when they sent Deacon Eugene Surry to be with the family after her husband’s death. The best part was that they were there for her needs, and they didn’t even know her or her family. They called this church at that time “the little church with the red doors.” The doors were little, but they open wide and could hold what the community needed at that time. Mother Copeland enjoyed worshiping at the little red doors on Gordon Street/Abernathy and she was a very active member at 542 Moreland Avenue. Mother Copeland was awarded Mother of the Year (Concerned Black Clergy). She joined the Voices Choir, and later was Emeritus of the Voices Choir until her death. She was also the Director of the “Baby Contest” that was held for years at the church as a fundraiser. Oh, she loved talking to the parents and babies because the Voices Choir would always receive big donations with this fundraiser.

Later on, all Mother Copeland’s children decided to come join her at First Iconium Baptist Church to be baptized or they came with Christian Experience after they saw how their mom loved First Iconium and the Pastor. Mother Copeland always talked about the Lord to her children, because she was raised that way and she knew that the Lord had brought her through many trials, but they showed up as miracles; especially when God healed her of Breast Cancer as a 31-year survivor. Mother Copeland told her children “when in trouble pray no matter what it is; if you can’t handle it, pray; she said God can; take everything to the Lord in prayer; and lastly, Trust in the Lord!

Mother Copeland is predeceased by her husband, four sons, two step-daughters, two step-sons, two sisters, and three brothers. Of her 10 children, she leaves behind four daughters, two sons, plus three step-children; 50 grandchildren; 59 great grandchildren; 36 great-great grandchildren, two brothers, three sisters, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mother Copeland was definitely the MOM Foundation’s BIGGEST CHEERLEADER and SUPPORTER; after all, her daughter – Deborah is the Founder. Mother Copeland attended each and every event sponsored by the MOM Foundation. Her loving smile, strong hugs, kind words of wisdom, and encouragement will forever be engraved in the hearts and minds of the MOM Foundation’s Staff and Members. WE MISS YOU, MOTHER COPELAND. MAY YOU REST IN ETERNAL PEACE.

“Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die,
will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.” John 11:25-26

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)

Doris Elizabeth Gresham

(November 12, 1924 – September 7, 2022)

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.” Colossians 3:23-24

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever.” Psalm 136:1 (KJV)

“Never say what you can’t do, you can do anything
you set your mind to.”

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present
help in trouble.” Psalm 46:46

“I will lift mine eyes unto the hills, from which cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 kjv

“Shed no tears for me, but rather rejoice because I am free”

“Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.”

“We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.”

“The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want.”

“If you can’t do anything about it, don’t worry about it. It will be alright.”