Emma Marie Copeland Whitfield

On September 9, 2016 at approximately 8:54 PM the death angel arrived at Sentara Obici Hospital and took our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend Deaconess Emma Marie Copeland Whitfield, better known as Marie.  She was 80 years old.  She is preceded in death by her husband, Robert White Whitfield, son - Roderick Costello Whitfield, and brothers - Clifton Copeland and John Axon Copeland. Marie was the fourth child born in Nansemond County, Virginia on July 11, 1936 to the late Harry Copeland and Ora Outland Copeland.  She attended Savage Crossing School and West Philadelphia High School.  She worked at Frank’s Truck Stop for many years and retired from Suffolk City Public Schools after 18 years of service. Marie as a young lady joined and attended Zion Christian Church.  There she served the Lord in various capacities to include the Senior Choir, Deaconess Board, Women’s Fellowship, and Pastor’s Aide.  One of Marie’s favorite bible verses was Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all thy ways acknowledge Him and he will direct your path.” As she lived her life as a God-fearing woman, she was also known to be very sweet and loving.  She could prepare homemade meals with ease as well as our favorites:  biscuits, rolls, sweet potato pie, coconut pie, pineapple coconut cake, and homemade ice cream.  Marie leaves to cherish her loving memory three sons, Aubrey Whitfield (Diane) of Portsmouth, VA, Michael Whitfield (Loray), and Phillip Whitfield of Suffolk, VA; three daughters, Robin Marie Whitfield Murphy (Clarence) of Franklin, VA, Donna Whitfield and Karen Whitfield of Suffolk, VA.  She also leaves four grandchildren, Patrice Whitfield of Annapolis, MD, Brandon Whitfield of District Heights, MD, Jordan Murphy of Petersburg, VA, Tracy Murphy of Franklin, VA; two sisters Mary Alice Whitfield and Thelma Copeland of Suffolk, VA; and a brother, Lorenzo Copeland (Evelyn) of Suffolk, VA.  She also leaves to cherish a special friend for over 65 years, Barbara Hand (George) of Philadelphia, PA; special daughter, Wanda Baker-Morris (Johnnie) and a hosts of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A celebration of life will be held 12:00 noon Thursday, September 15, 2016 at Zion Christian Church. Rev. Ben Fitzgerald will deliver the eulogy. She will be laid to rest in the church cemetery. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home, Inc. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Emma Marie Copeland Whitfield, please visit our flower store.