Saundra Denise Hillard Copeland

On Wednesday, June 19, 2019, Saundra Denise Hillard Copeland peacefully entered her eternal resting place. Saundra was born on July 19, 1959 in Suffolk, Virginia to the late William Earl Jones, Sr. of Sunbury, North Carolina and the late Lois Hillard Townsell of Nansemond County. Her sister, Renee Jones of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, also predeceased Saundra. Saundra graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in 1977 where she was known for her laughter, smiling face, and giggles. She was employed by the City of Norfolk, where she worked for 28 years, initially in City Hall and later as an Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police. She retired in 2013. She joined Grove Church in 2004 where she served as a member of the Tribal Ministry and the Admin Team for “From Vision to Destiny”. Saundra leaves to cherish her memory, Harvey “Bernard” Copeland, her loving husband. They shared 38 years of affection, adventure, kindness, and love. Bernard and Saundra determined to enjoy life after retirement enjoyed trying new things, traveling and they had a great love of dogs. The two of them were usually seen together with smiles on their faces appreciating life and what it had to offer. After Saundra’s retirement, they moved to Hawaii and later to San Diego, California before returning back home to Suffolk, Virginia a few years ago. Saundra also known as Sandy, leaves to cherish her memory, a brother, William Earl Jones Jr. of Wilson, North Carolina; sisters, Brenda Faulk (Larry) and Monica Holland (James), both of Suffolk, Virginia; Saundra and her two sisters grew up on Norfolk Road in Suffolk where they laughed and played, walked to and from school, made mud pies, played bobby jacks, rode the city bus around town just for entertainment, and pretended to be singers, using clothespins as their microphones. She will be missed by her devoted nephew, JaMon Holland, and her “shopping partner” and closest friend, Cathy Edwards, both of Suffolk, Virginia; step sons, Harvey Copeland Jr. of Suffolk, Virginia and Jabon Robinson of Portsmouth, Virginia; step daughters, Stephanie Rodriguez (Fernando) of Suffolk, Virginia, and Sara Bryant (CJ) of Atlanta, Georgia. Saundra’s kindness and gentleness is what attracted people to her. She was soft spoken but always had a wonderful presence. She will be greatly missed by all who had an opportunity to meet her, know her, and love her. A celebration of life will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 26, 2019 at Grove Baptist Church, 5910 West Norfolk Road, Portsmouth, Virginia 23703. Dr. Melvin O. Marriner will deliver the message of comfort. She will be laid to rest in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans 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 Saundra Denise Hillard Copeland, please visit our flower store.