Obituary of Doris Kate Atkins Copenhaver

ATKINS, Va.

Doris Kate Atkins Copenhaver, age 94, died Monday, January 8, 2018.

She was born December 14, 1923 to the late George and Mary Evelyn Atkins. Doris was valedictorian of the Atkins High School class of 1940. She received a degree from Marion College, Radford University, and her Master’s from University of Virginia. She was a teacher in the Virginia public school system for 44 years. She began in a one room school house on Nick’s Creek, and was art director for the kindergartens of Smyth County. Doris continued in public education as Assistant Principal at Marion Primary then returned to teaching at Atkins Elementary for the remainder of her teaching career. She often covered the bill for students to be able to attend many school trips, including many Senior trips. For the next 5 years she evaluated new teachers all over Southwest Virginia. Doris was a lifetime member of Davis Memorial United Methodist Church, often playing piano and organ. After retirement, she and her husband Hugh enjoyed traveling all over the country with Abbot Trailways. Wherever she went, Doris made friends and left a lasting impression.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, Harold Hugh Copenhaver; and brother and sister-in-law, John and Marjorie Atkins.

Doris is survived by a special niece, Sherry Russell and husband, Buster; special great-niece, Lisa Maloyed, all of Atkins, Va.; nephews, Dr. J. David Atkins and wife, Rennie of Abingdon, Va., and Ben Atkins and wife, Judy of Atkins, Va. Many great and great-great nieces and nephews, former students, colleagues, church family and friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 12, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel with Reverend Harry Howe and Reverend Rebecca Reed officiating. Burial will follow in Rose Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seaver-Brown Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Home Nursing Company Inc., P.O. Box 1279, Chilhowie, VA 24319.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the family at www.seaverbrown.com. Seaver-Brown Funeral Service and Crematory is honored to serve the family of Doris Kate Atkins Copenhaver.