Dorothy Jane Copeland Drake, 101, formerly of Sidney, joined the stars in heaven on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021. For the past six years, Dorothy was a resident at Chestnut Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Oneonta.
Dorothy was born in Hardaway, Ala., on Jan. 16, 1920, to Donovan H. and Mamie Oswalt Copeland. She has been affectionately known to all of us as “Dot” most of her life. She was fortunate to grow up surrounded by so many relatives and good people in the Hardaway Community of rural Macon County, where her father owned a store and ran the post office in the tiny town. Many precious memories were made there over the years in the house she grew up in and are still cherished today by so many of her living descendants. Dot attended Judson College, majoring in English/ French Education. Shortly thereafter, she met her future husband, Alan Drake, whom she married in Trenton, N.J., and later they moved to Sidney, where Alan took a teaching job with Sidney Central School District. There were no teaching positions in English or French at the time, but she was given a job in the district office and became the senior accountant until she retired in 1985.
Dot was predeceased by her parents, her husband Alan, and her three brothers, Donovan, Ernest and Phillip Copeland, as well as three nephews, Vandy, Jimmy and Barry Copeland.
Dot is survived by a nephew, Ernest O. Copeland Jr., his son, Phillip Donovan Copeland, and his grandsons Josh and Jake of Lakeland, Fla., his daughters Donna Copeland Sailors and grandson Justin of Maryville, Tenn., and Chrissy Copeland Shadwell and granddaughter Ashlyn of Jacksonville, Fla. She is also survived by a niece, Jane Copeland Motley, of Wetumpka, Ala., her daughter Lori Motley, her son Greg Motley and grandson Dylan Motley; a nephew Dale Copeland; Melissa Copeland, Maury Copeland Rusk (Kevin) her daughter Haleigh Rusk and her son Hunter Rusk, all of Auburn, Ala.; Bill Dann, his sister Becky Leidy and their niece Melinda Dann. Bill was Dot’s neighbor and close friend along with Bill’s toy Australian shepherd, Ferra, who Dot loved dearly. Dot thought of Bill as the son she never had. She loved Bill, Becky and Linny like her own children and they were very loving and giving of their time to Dot for many years until she passed away. She also had a best friend, Louise Glacken, for many years, whom she missed dearly after Louise’s recent death.
Dot was a kind and giving soul. She was always happy and willing to help anyone in need. She loved gardening, reading and baking. She always baked with good nutrition in mind and enjoyed giving her creations to friends and neighbors.
Dot had a green thumb, tending to her many perennials and vegetable garden. She loved mowing her lawn and keeping things neat and tidy. She took a daily walk knowing that exercise was important to living a healthy life.
She was a member of the Sidney United Methodist Church. Her strong belief in God guided her through her journey in life. In Dot’s own words, “I will try to honor our Heavenly Father for all of my life. I have found much comfort from two hymns that I love: ‘My Faith Looks up to Thee’ and ‘Because He Lives’. I will try every day to remember and use that very wise counsel from my mother when she said to enjoy my good times and when bad times come, just stand up straight and do your best.”
Dot will be lovingly remembered by her family and friends. The weekly phone calls early on Sunday mornings to catch up with everyone were especially missed in the last several years by her nephew in Auburn and his family. She left us with many fond memories, and we are all better people for having her
in our lives.
Due to weather and Covid difficulties, a small graveside memorial service will be held in the coming spring in her memory which will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to either The Delaware Valley Humane Society of Sidney or the Sidney United Methodist Church.
Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.landersfh.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of C. H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.
