Emma Ruth Copes

Emma Ruth Copes, 98 of rural Vermont went home to heaven on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at 2:10 p.m. at her residence.
She was born on September 6, 1923 in Beardstown, IL, to Lawrence and Georgianna Root Wilson, the fourth of 8 children, and the first daughter to her parents. She grew up in Versailles, IL before graduating from Industry High School in 1941. After graduation, Ruth Attended Olivet Nazarene College where she earned her teaching certificate. She taught in a one room schoolhouse in rural Eldorado Township, and walking there caught the eye of a local neighbor, Wayne Copes, who declared he would marry her the first time he saw her. Ruth and Wayne were married on May 3, 1947; together they share 3 children and 57 beautiful years before his death in 2004. Also preceding her in death were her daughter, Naomi Copes, in 2019, as well as 6 brothers - Woodrow, Clarence, Elmer, John, Clyde, and Joseph and one sister, Loreeta Rogers.
Left to celebrate her life and legacy are her daughter, Joy (Lindell) Beck of Colchester, son, Todd Copes of Vermont, and three grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren: Jeremy (Nikki) Beck, Rylan and Brycelynn of Eureka, Rachel (Lips) Khaemba, Nehemiah and Zechariah of Rockford, and Amanda (Joshua) Serrano, Elaina and Elysia of Bloomington, and several nieces and nephews.
Ruth loved her family and was a person of deep faith. She was a lifelong member or the Church of the Nazarene. She was quick to laugh, often throwing her head back in glee before ending with her trademark sigh of “Oh dear”. Though not well traveled, she was never without a book, remarking, “You can go anywhere in the world if you can read.” she also enjoyed gardening, feeding her “hummies,” and sprinkling seeds of kindness onto the lives of those she loved. While she was born into poverty, she left this world wealthy in the riches of love which she had spent cultivating, consistently, and honorably her entire life.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 14, 2022 at the Macomb Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Judy Davenport officiating. Visitation will be held from 1 to 2 p.m Thursday at the church. Burial will be in the Vermont Cemetery in Vermont.
Memorials may be made to either the Macomb Church of the Nazarene or MDH Hospice.
Clugston-Tibbitts Funeral Home in Macomb is in charge of arrangements.
You may leave condolences and sign the guest book online at clugston-tibbitts.com. 

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