Memorial Service for former Frederick resident, Mary Frances Copeland, age 79, of Olton, Texas will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 25, 2019, at the First Christian Church in Frederick with Rev. Jenny Wynn and Dr. Danny Griffin officiating. Private family burial will precede the service in the Frederick Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Jackson Funeral Home of Frederick. Mrs. Copeland passed away on Monday, March 18, 2019, at the Runningwater Draw Care Center in Olton, Texas.

Mary Frances (Smith) Copeland was born on February 12, 1940, in Frederick, Oklahoma to Dent Delbert and Frances (Robey) Smith. She attended Frederick Public School and graduated from Frederick High School in 1958. She then attended Christian College in Columbia, Missouri in 1960, where she received an Associate Degree in Vocal Performance. She furthered her education at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas but did not complete a degree due to her father's sickness and death. On June 2, 1961, she was united in marriage to Robert Y. Copeland at her family home in Frederick, Oklahoma. Mary Frances served on the Library Board for many years before she became the Librarian at the Frederick Public Library. She was a 50-year member of PEO, Chapter AS in Frederick where she served as President, held other offices and had been a delegate to both state and national conventions. Mary Frances was founder of the Frederick Art Show in the 1970's which was the precursor to the Art Festival held today. She was also a member of the Frederick Philharmonic and the 20th Century Club.  She was extremely active in the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where she led choir for years, coordinated funeral dinners, led Vacation Bible School and sang solos at Easter and Christmas. Mary Frances' first love was her family. She was a devoted wife and mother. She supported Bob in his Lay Witness Mission across the Texas panhandle and Oklahoma. She served as the music leader at these events, frequently performing solos. She was active in her boys' school activities. After her mother's death in 1966, she oversaw the care of her grandmother, Inez C. Robey until her death in 1980. She was named Most Useful Citizen by the Frederick Lions Club in 1976. Mary Frances loved her church. She followed in the footsteps of her parents in being very active, especially in the worship side of things. Also, she loved her hometown, Frederick, Oklahoma. She treasured her many friendships. She was a very generous soul and gave of herself freely to the betterment of those she served.

She is survived by two sons, Robert Y. Copeland, Jr. of Plainview, Texas and Stanton S. Copeland and his wife Dee of Tulsa, Oklahoma; a daughter-in-law, Pamala Copeland of Dallas, Texas; one sister, Kathleen Trautman and her husband Richard of Belton, Texas; six grandchildren, Miriam E. Copeland, Smith Allen Copeland, Davis Young Copeland, Zachary Young Copeland, Journey Lee Copeland and Hannah Nicole Copeland; and two great-grandsons, Braxton James Philpott and Ryker Dale Philpott; a special friend, Winona Knight of Carthage, Missouri and dear neighbors, Mike and Sharon Dickey of Frederick, Oklahoma; as well as a host of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dent and Frances Smith; a brother and sister-in-law, Jay Robey and Mary Pearl Smith; a brother and sister-in-law, Dr. Jack C. and Mary Tommye Smith; a son, Curtis L. Copeland; and a daughter-in-law, Rebecca Copeland.

The family will receive friends from 4 until 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 24, 2019, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church Memorial Fund or Frederick School Enrichment Foundation - Big Topics in memory of Mary Frances Copeland.